sampling exercise

Purpose of the Assignment

The goal of this assignment is to help you apply course concepts related to sampling by designing a sample for a hypothetical social research study. Rather than only defining sampling methods, you will demonstrate your understanding by selecting and justifying a sampling strategy appropriate to a specific research question.

This exercise emphasizes methodological reasoning, critical thinking, and the ability to connect theory to practice.

Assignment Instructions

You will design a sample for a proposed social research study of your choice. You may select a topic related to education, health, family, work, inequality, criminal justice, media, or community life.

Part 1: Research Scenario (Approx. 1 paragraph)

Briefly describe your proposed study, including:

• The research topic
• One clear research question
• The target population (who you want to study and why)

Part 2: Sampling Method (Approx. 12 paragraphs)

Identify and explain the sampling strategy you would use for this study.

Be sure to address:

• The type of sampling method (e.g., simple random, stratified, cluster, convenience, snowball)
• Why this method is appropriate for your research question and population
• How participants would be selected or recruited

Use proper research methods terminology.

Part 3: Sample Characteristics (Approx. 1 paragraph)

Describe the sample you would aim to collect:

• Approximate sample size
• Key characteristics (e.g., age range, gender, location, occupation, education level, etc.)
• Any inclusion or exclusion criteria

Explain how these characteristics relate to your research goals.

Part 4: Limitations and Bias (Approx. 1 paragraph)

All samples have limitations. In this section:

• Identify at least one potential source of bias
• Explain how your sampling method might limit generalizability
• Briefly discuss how a different sampling approach might change the results

Part 5: Ethical Considerations (Approx. 1 paragraph)

Discuss at least one ethical issue related to your sampling strategy, such as:

• Informed consent
• Voluntary participation
• Access to vulnerable populations
• Privacy or confidentiality concerns

Formatting & Submission Guidelines

• Length: 23 pages (not including references)
• Format: APA style
• Sources: At least one scholarly source (textbook or peer-reviewed article)
• File type: Word or PDF

Evaluation Criteria

Your assignment will be assessed on:

• Clear understanding of sampling concepts
• Logical alignment between research question and sampling method
• Thoughtful discussion of bias and limitations
• Appropriate use of academic language and terminology
• Organization, clarity, and APA formatting