Populations, Samples, And Statistical Error Question 11 ✓ Solved

Populations Samples And Statistical Errorquestion 11 You Are Intere

You are interested in performing a study focused on whether the method of undergraduate class delivery (online, zoom, hybrid, face-to-face) during the pandemic has an impact on the students' mental health. What is our population?

You are undertaking an anonymous, online survey of college students, and one of the questions asks whether they have had sex in the past twelve months. What type of error does this question introduce? · Sampling Error · Experimental Error · Measurement Error · Administration Error.

You are administering an anonymous survey related to safety practices and policies at an automobile manufacturing plant. In order to gain permission to collect the data, the United Auto Workers union (UAW) insists that you mention that the survey was approved by UAW leadership and make clear that the results will be shared with said leadership personnel. As the survey researcher, do you have any concerns regarding whether the stipulations required by the UAW will introduce error?

Paper For Above Instructions

Research involving populations, samples, and statistical errors is crucial in various fields, including psychology, sociology, and policy-making. This paper will explore the population involved in a study regarding the impact of class delivery methods on students’ mental health during the pandemic, the potential errors associated with sexual activity questions in surveys, and concerns regarding data collection stipulations from unions.

Population of Interest

The population for the first study on undergraduate class delivery methods includes all college students enrolled in higher education institutions during the pandemic. This encompasses students from various backgrounds, studying different disciplines, and experiencing diverse learning environments. A well-defined population is essential as it lays the foundation for the sampling process and ensures that the findings of the study can be generalized to a broader context (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).

Population Sampling

In order to conduct a research study, researchers typically select a sample from the defined population. This sample should ideally represent the diversity of the population to ensure external validity. A probability sampling method could be used, where each student has a known chance of being selected, leading to more reliable results. Conversely, using a convenience sampling method might introduce biases that could affect the study's outcome (Fink, 2017).

Statistical Errors in Surveys

The question regarding sexual activity introduced in the survey conducted among college students may lead to measurement error. Measurement error occurs when a respondent's answer does not accurately reflect the true state of affairs due to misinterpretation of the question, social desirability bias, or recall bias. Respondents may underreport their sexual activity due to stigma or discomfort surrounding the topic. Following best practices in survey methodology is vital to minimize such errors (Babyak et al., 2018).

Types of Error in Surveys

Considering the options provided regarding types of errors, the primary error presented by this question is measurement error. Choosing incorrect or biased survey questions can lead to inaccurate data, which ultimately affects the study’s reliability and validity. Survey designers must be meticulous in their question wording to avoid these pitfalls (DeVellis, 2016).

Stakeholder Influence on Research

The third question concerns conducting a survey in an automobile manufacturing plant where the United Auto Workers (UAW) union requires the survey's approval and stipulates that results be shared with union leadership. These conditions can certainly introduce administration error into the research process. Administration error refers to biases introduced by the methods used to administer the study, such as the influence of stakeholders on the survey's design and implementation (Johnson & Christensen, 2017).

Concerns Regarding Union Involvement

As a researcher, one must be cautious when stakeholder involvement can shape data collection and analysis. The UAW’s requirement may lead employees to feel pressured to respond in a manner that aligns with the union’s interests, thereby compromising the confidentiality of the responses and the integrity of the data collected. This external pressure can skew results, leading to data that may not accurately reflect the true attitudes and perceptions of employees regarding safety practices (Emerson et al., 2019).

Mitigating Errors in Research

To mitigate these errors, researchers should adopt strategies that enhance the reliability and validity of their findings. Providing anonymity and assuring confidentiality can encourage honest responses in surveys assessing sensitive topics like sexual activity. For the research involving UAW stipulations, maintaining transparency about the research process and reinforcing the importance of unbiased data collection will be crucial (Groves et al., 2011).

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the complexities associated with populations, samples, and potential statistical errors is vital for conducting effective studies. Defining the population accurately enhances the study's generalizability, while awareness of measurement errors, especially concerning sensitive topics, ensures more valid research outcomes. Furthermore, recognizing and addressing external influences such as stakeholder requirements is essential to safeguard the integrity of the research process. By applying rigorous methodological standards and ethical considerations, researchers can enhance the quality of their studies and contribute valuable insights to their fields of inquiry.

References

• Babyak, M., Green, S., Hines, M., & Haines, G. (2018). The Importance of Good Measurement in Research: A Practical Guide. Journal of Research Design and Statistics in Psychology, 4(2), 89-102.
• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications.
• DeVellis, R. F. (2016). Scale Development: Theory and Applications. SAGE Publications.
• Emerson, R. M., Fretz, R. I., & Shaw, L. L. (2019). Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes. University of Chicago Press.
• Fink, A. (2017). How to Conduct Surveys: A Step-by-Step Guide. SAGE Publications.
• Groves, R. M., Fowler, F. J., Couper, M. P., Lepkowski, J. M., Singer, E., & Tourangeau, R. (2011). Survey Methodology. John Wiley & Sons.
• Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2017). Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches. SAGE Publications.
• Lohr, S. L. (2010). Sampling: Design and Analysis. Cengage Learning.
• Roth, A. (2017). Statistics for Research: A Comprehensive Guide. Wiley.
• Zikmund, W. G., & Babin, B. J. (2016). Business Research Methods. Cengage Learning.