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Explain why cluster sampling is the most appropriate probability sampling technique for this study, and describe how it resolves both the lack of a master list and the travel budget constraints.
Case context: A developmental psychologist wants to study student adjustment in public elementary schools across a large state. The researcher does not have access to a master list of all elementary school students in the state. Additionally, the study requires conducting face-to-face interviews, and the budget for researcher travel is highly limited.
Question: Explain why cluster sampling is the most appropriate probability sampling technique for this study, and describe how it resolves both the lack of a master list and the travel budget constraints.
Sample answer: Cluster sampling is appropriate because the researcher does not have a statewide master list of all students (sampling frame). By randomly selecting specific schools (clusters) first, the researcher only needs to obtain student lists within those chosen schools to sample from. Additionally, because the face-to-face interviews will be conducted only with students concentrated within the selected schools rather than scattered randomly across the entire state, this design significantly minimizes travel and logistical costs.
Key points:
- Identifies schools as clusters and students as the individual units of analysis.
- Explains how cluster sampling bypasses the need for a comprehensive statewide sampling frame.
- Explains how clustering participants geographically minimizes logistical and travel costs for face-to-face interviews.
Rubric: Grading Rubric: - 2 points: Explains how cluster sampling resolves the sampling frame issue (by selecting clusters first, avoiding the need for a statewide list of all students). - 2 points: Explains how cluster sampling resolves the travel constraint (by grouping participants within specific geographic clusters, minimizing travel costs for face-to-face interviews). - 1 point: Identifies the schools as the clusters and students as the individuals sampled within those clusters.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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