Reflecting on Research Methods and Learning About Sampling and Secondary Data

Unit 7: Sampling

Research Methods module Journal Entry assignment.At the end of units 3 and 4 you need to reflect on the topics you have studied and how you will be able to apply them to your personal and/or professional life. You can also post reflections into the journal from the various lecture cast activities throughout the module.

• The key things you learned during the last two weeks

• How can they relate to the workplace? (you can refer to financial/banking sector)

• How they can aid your personal and professional development?

• Remember to be specific and give examples (this part is important)

• (Harvard reference) preferable for the unit reading.

Welcome to Unit 7. In this unit, it is recognised that sampling is of value when it is not possible to conduct a census. A census is when all members of the population group provide data. This is often not possible, however, due to constraints on resources such as time, the inability to collect data from large populations and the  lack of access to the whole population. In these cases sampling provides an alternative. Sampling provides a means of overcoming these restrictions by allowing data to be collected from a sub-group of the overall population to be studied.

To carry out a sampling exercise that allows findings to be generalised to the population, particular approaches will be required. For example, probability sampling uses random methods with a rigorous pre-determined sample size to yield findings that can be generalised to the studied population. On the other hand, non probability methods  may simply want to provide insights (Saunders et al., 2019).

In these cases, non-probability methods may suffice. It is important to note however that these non-probability methods, whilst helping gain an understanding of a particular research problem, do not allow the results to be generalised to the entire population being studied.

-Examine the purpose of sampling

-Identify differing probability and non-probability sampling methods

-Develop criteria for evaluating the representativeness of samples

-Explore the ability of different types of sampling to allow findings to be generalised

-Reflect upon the requirements for sampling when conducting qualitative research

-Provide a rationale for the selection of a sampling method for a research project

-Explain the differences between sampling methods

-Select appropriate sampling methods by evaluating competing criteria and how these need to be considered in relation to the research question

-State the ability of the selected sampling method used to allow findings to be generalised.

The reading this week focusses on examining the purpose of sampling, identifying differing probability and non-probability sampling methods, developing criteria for evaluating the representativeness of samples, exploring the ability of different types of sampling to allow findings to be generalised and reflect upon the requirements for sampling when conducting qualitative research. 

Welcome to Unit 8. This unit highlights that secondary data is collected first. This data is termed secondary because it has been previously collected for some other research purpose. You will re-examine this data for the insights it provides in assisting you in providing answers to your own research questions. Saunders et al (2019:17) identify three secondary data types: “document…. survey….multiple source”. However, because secondary data have been collected for other purposes they will most likely be limited for the purpose of your own research.

Some key questions underpin the collection of secondary data. These include: the data possibilities in terms of what is available and accessible? and specifically where can this data be found? Once a researcher has addressed the two previous questions, evaluative criteria for what should be utilised and what should be discarded need to be applied to the secondary data. Paramount in this process is the ability of the secondary data to help provide answers to the research questions in a robust manner. 

-Identify types of secondary data

-Explore means of locating secondary data

-Identify criteria for selecting secondary data that is suitable for helping to answer research questions

-Explore the strengths and limitations of secondary data

-Explain how suitable data are found which may assist in answering research questions

-Select suitable secondary data to help provide answers to the research questions

-Explain the criteria used to evaluate the appropriateness of the selected data

-State the strengths and limitations of the selected secondary data.