Exam 2: Research Strategies: an Overview

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A target population and a participant sample are two key concepts in research methodology, particularly in the context of surveys, experiments, and observational studies. Understanding the distinction between these two is crucial for designing a study and interpreting its results.

The target population, also known as the population of interest, refers to the entire group of individuals or entities that the researcher wants to draw conclusions about. It is the larger group to which the study findings are intended to be generalized. For example, if a researcher is studying the effects of a new educational program, the target population might be all middle school students in a particular country.

A participant sample, on the other hand, is a subset of the target population that is actually included in the study. Due to practical constraints such as time, cost, and accessibility, it is often not feasible to include every individual from the target population in the research. Therefore, researchers select a sample that is representative of the target population. The sample should have similar characteristics to the population and be selected using a method that allows for generalization of the study results back to the target population.

There are various sampling methods that can be used to select a participant sample, including:

1. Random sampling: Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being included in the sample.
2. Stratified sampling: The population is divided into subgroups (strata) based on certain characteristics, and random samples are taken from each stratum.
3. Cluster sampling: The population is divided into clusters (often geographically), some clusters are randomly selected, and then all members or a random sample of members from the selected clusters are included in the sample.
4. Convenience sampling: Participants are selected based on their availability or willingness to take part in the study, rather than at random.

The key difference between the target population and the participant sample is scope: the target population is the whole group the researcher is interested in, while the participant sample is the practical, smaller group from which data is actually collected. The extent to which the sample accurately represents the target population determines the external validity, or generalizability, of the study's findings. If the sample is not representative, the results may not be applicable to the broader population, which can limit the conclusions that can be drawn from the research.