Question

Consider the following statistical studies. Which method of data collection would likely be used to collect data for each study? Explain your selection. What is the population of interest? Would you take a census or use a sampling? Explain. If you would use a sampling, decide what type of sampling technique you would use. Explain your reasoning. 1. A study of the effect of exercise on relieving depression. 2. A study of the success of graduates of a large university in finding a job within one year of graduation. 3. A study of how often people wash their hands in public restrooms.

Answer 1

1. In this study, I would use a quantitative approach as the research method. My sample would comprise of individuals diagnosed with depression and a group of participants who do not have a diagnosis of any mental illness. This type of a selection would allow me to compare whether excerise is truly improving symptoms in depressive patients exclusively or has an equal impact on all individuals. This study would require sampling rather than a census, and purposive sampling would be the most appropriate technique. This is because through purposive sampling, depressive patients can easily be located and recruited for the study. Furthermore, this sampling technique is also required to recruit the non-depressive individuals for the study, as their characteristics need to be matched with the depressive individuals group.

Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four sub parts of a question.