This research examines an application of the statistical procedure of population sampling. The initial part of the examination describes sampling procedures, and illustrates the use of the procedures in an application. Following the description and illustration, the accuracy and appropriateness of the application is discussed.
Description of the Procedure, and An Illustration of the Use of the Procedure in An Application
Population sampling procedures are described in this section. This description is followed by an illustration of the use of the procedures in an application.
Classical statistical analysis is concerned with the analysis of sampled data. The analysis of sampled data permits the researcher to make inferences concerning total populations, "with the exclusions of any personal judgments or opinions" (Kazmier, 1991, p. 1). Random or equivalent procedures are employed to eliminate bias to the extent possible from the research sample in formal scholarly research. Random procedures are mathematically-based actions that assure that every member of a population to be sampled has a chance equal to that of every other member of the population to be selected as a part of the sample. In formal scholarly research, the research design is carefully planned and followed to the maximum possible extent. Control of extraneous variables is an important feature of the research design. The application of sampling procedures is one means of controlling bias and extraneous variables.
The most frequent use of quantitative methods of analysis in the conduct of research is to infer causal relationships between variables through the testing of hypotheses, to describe observable phenomena, and to support decision-making processes (Ott, 1993, pp. 1-3, 10). Inferential statistics permit the findings with respect to one set of relationships to be extended to other relationships and to generalize findings and conclusions on the basi...