Sampling strategy - Assignment Example

SAMPLING STRATEGY The selection of the sample size is important in all forms of primary data collection processes. The only problem is that the approaches used in designing the sampling strategy may vary in either case. For the quantitative survey, the sampling strategy to be used in selecting the new mothers would be a random sampling technique. This is a technique that involves the selection of respondent with no preconceived idea by either the researcher or the members of the population as to who may possibly be part of the sample size and who will not be part of the sample size (Camargo, 1999).

In other words, each member of the population has an equal chance of becoming part of the sample size. This strategy shall be used to select fifty (50) of such new mothers. The rationale for using random sampling technique in the quantitative survey and selecting fifty (50) respondents is that surveys require the collection of data from a relatively larger setting and as such the sample size must be large enough to give a true proportionate representation of all people within the population. For the qualitative focus group study, a purposive sampling strategy shall be used to select members in the sample size.

A purposive sampling strategy do not allow for equal probability of selection of members but comes with its own advantage which is, a specific classification of respondents who are thought to be suitable for the provision of certain data will be selected (Bushman, 2007). This is ideal for a focus group study because using a random strategy may include members who do not qualify for the variables set out to achieve the intended focus. Because the focus group will be critically analyzed, a fewer number of respondents of ten (10) shall be included.

Generally for the focus group, the inclusion and exclusion criteria shall be based on a group of well defined variables, whereby only new mothers who fall within the variables shall be included (Calfee and Scheraga, 2004). A typical example of such variable could be new mothers who had pre-mature child birth. REFERENCE LISTBushman, B.J. (2007). Child birth complications and their attendant solutions: Validity of proposed explanations. Recent developments in alcoholism: Volume 13. (pp. 227-243).

New York, NY: Plenum Press. Calfee, J., & Scheraga, C. (2004). The influence of advertising on anti-natal care: A literature review and an econometric analysis of four European nations. International Journal of Advertising, 13, 287-310. Camargo, C.A. (1999). Gender differences in the health effects of moderate alcohol consumption.