Sampling Structures

Probability and nonprobability are the two general categories of sampling. Probability

sampling uses random selection, whereas nonprobability sampling does not. For

example, if you wanted to study the effects of divorce on the psychological development

of adolescents, you could gather a population of a certain number of adolescents whose

parents were divorced. Then, out of that population, you could randomly select 25 of

those people. If you wanted to use nonprobability sampling, you would choose specific

people who had met predetermined criteria. For this Discussion, consider how samples

would be chosen for both probability and nonprobability sampling structures.

By Day 3

Post your explanation of the following:

 Using your research problem and the refined question you developed in

Week 4, develop two sampling structures: probability and nonprobability.

 Explain who would be included in each sample and how each sample

would be selected.

Sample Solution