Sampling People, Networks and Records

Good data collection is built on good samples. But the samples can be chosen in many ways. Samples can be haphazard or convenient selections of persons, or records, or networks, or other units, but one questions the quality of such samples, especially what these selection methods mean for drawing good conclusions about a population after data collection and analysis is done. Samples can be more carefully selected based on a researcher’s judgment, but one then questions whether that judgment c

• Understand value and risks of sampling and randomization methods
• Differentiate types of sampling methods and their applications
• Explain principles and techniques of probability sampling