Case Study

Based on empirical findings regarding online research, explain why the colleague's advice is misleading and clarify the relationship between internet samples, traditional study samples, and the general population.

Case context: Dr. Miller is planning a study on cognitive habits. A colleague advises him against using an internet survey, arguing that internet samples lack demographic diversity compared to standard laboratory convenience samples.

Question: Based on empirical findings regarding online research, explain why the colleague's advice is misleading and clarify the relationship between internet samples, traditional study samples, and the general population.

Sample answer: The colleague's advice is misleading because research indicates that internet samples are frequently more diverse across various domains than those used in traditional studies. However, Dr. Miller should still understand that while internet samples are more diverse than traditional ones, they still do not perfectly represent the entire population.

Key points:

  • Explains why the advice is misleading based on comparison of diversity.
  • Recognizes that internet samples are frequently more diverse across various domains than traditional study samples.
  • Recognizes that internet samples are not perfectly representative of the entire population.

Rubric: Grading Rubric: - 1 point: Explains that the colleague's concern is misleading because internet samples are actually more diverse than traditional study samples. - 1 point: Comprehends that this diversity spans various domains. - 1 point: Explains that although they are more diverse, internet samples do not perfectly represent the entire population.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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