Criminal Justice Research

Application: Sampling Components

In previous weeks of the course, you explored the importance of conceptualizing and defining variables. Those tasks set the guidelines for research and have many important consequences for the results. In sampling methods research as well, guidelines must be set. Researchers must conceptualize and define important components of probability sampling.

For this Application Assignment, you define and explain the role of all of those terms within the context of probability sampling. You also explain potential advantages of probability sampling over non probability sampling.

The assignment (2-3 pages):

• Explain the definition and role of each of the following components of probability sampling: element, population, study population, random selection, sampling unit, statistic, and parameter.
• Finally, explain advantages of probability sampling over non probability sampling.