Good Example Of Essay On Nursing Research Sampling Plan

A sampling plan details the measurements that are to be taken, and at what times, by whom and materials that will be involved (Balamurali, Aslam & Jun, 2014). When designing a sampling plan, it is important to ensure that the resulting data is a representative of the targeted population or sample (Hartman & Houser, 2013). In addition, it should provide room for answering research questions or objectives. As a result, it is essential to identify the parameters that are to be measured and the required resolutions or possible values. This must be followed by designing a scheme of how, when and where samples will be collected. Thirdly, it is vital to identify the preferred sample size, data storage forms and consequently assign roles (Hussain, Mughal, Khalid, Aslam & Rehman, 2014).
There are different sampling plans, but this paper will concentrate on probability sampling. In probability sampling, a sample is selected randomly from the targeted population (McGrath, Polit, & Beck, 2010). In this sampling plan, each unit in the targeted population has a fair or equal chance of being sampled. A good example is simple random sampling. In this method, the researcher is often accessed to the entire units of the population, and can select representative units from the entire population in a random manner (McGrath, Polit, & Beck, 2010).

Advantages

The main advantage of this method is that each unit has an equal chance of being represented in the sample that is collected (Terry, 2010).

Disadvantages

It is could be laborious at times;
Although the risk of getting a non-representative is minimal, there is no guarantee of representativeness;
In addition, it could be problematic to list all the units (Terry, 2010).

References

Balamurali, S., Aslam, M., and Jun, C. (2014). A New System of Skip-Lot Sampling Plans including Resampling. The Scientific World Journal, 192412, 1-6.
Hartman, R., and Houser, J. (2013). Nursing Research: Reading, Using and Creating Evidence. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Publishers
Hussain, J., Mughal, A., Khalid, M., Aslam, M., and Rehman, A. (2014). Economic Reliability Group Acceptance Sampling Plans for Lifetimes Following a Generalized Exponential Distribution. Electronic Journal of Applied Statistical Analysis, 4(2), 1-10.
McGrath, J., Polit, D., and Beck, C. (2010). Canadian Essentials of Nursing Research. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Terry, J. (2010). Clinical Research for the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.