Please assist with Research Methodology and Applied Statistical Techniques

SECTION A [40 Marks]

Read the Extract Below and answer ALL the Questions that follow Types of Sampling in Research In research term, a sample is a group of people, objects, or items that are taken from a large population for measurement. So, to get the accurate results, sampling is done. For example, if we have to check all the chips in a factory made are good or not, it is very difficult to check each chip, so to check, we will be taking a random chip and check for its accurate taste, shape, and size. Hence, sampling is an important tool in research, when the population size is large. Based on this, we have divided it into two types: (1) probability (2) and nonprobability. According to Clifford Woody, research comprises defining and redefining problems formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions collecting, organizing, and evaluating the data making deductions and reaching conclusions and at last, carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. Research can be taken as the contribution to the existing bundle of knowledge, making it more advanced. The main objective of research is to know or to find out the answers to questions in a scientific way. Some of the general objectives of research are as follows: 1.1 To know about a subject or to find out something new in that exploratory or formulative research 1.2 To know about the subject in depth, for example, the characteristics, nature of a particular group, or individualdescriptive research 1.3 To correlate the association of some particulars with something else diagnostic research. There are different types of research some of them are listed below: 1.1 Descriptive and analytical 1.2 Applied and fundamental 1.3 Quantitative and qualitative 1.4 Conceptual and empirical 1.5 Other types include clinical, historical, and conclusion oriented. There are different steps which provide a useful procedural guideline regarding the research process, some of the steps are as follows: 1.1 Formulating the research problem 1.2 Extensive literature survey 1.3 Hypothesis developing 1.4 Preparing research design 1.5 Determining the sample size 1.6 Collecting the data 1.7 Execution of the project 1.8 Analysis of data 1.9 Hypothesis testing 1.10 Generalization and interpretation 1.11 Preparation of report or presentation of the results. According to the above steps, we have to prepare the research design and determine the sample size to carry out complete research. Hence, we will discuss in detail about the different types of sampling or the sample designs. Sampling is defined as a procedure to select a sample from individual or from a large group of population for certain kind of research purpose. There are different advantages and disadvantages of sampling. We would be thinking sometimes that Why there is a need of sampling? the answer is as it is too expensive and too time consuming to survey a whole population in a research study, we use sampling. Advantages 1.1 Saves time and money and gives faster results as the sample size is smaller than the whole population 1.2 Sampling gives more accurate results as it is performed by trained and experienced investigators 1.3 When there is large population, sampling is the best way 1.4 Sampling enables to estimate the sampling errors. Hence, it assists in getting information concerning to some characteristics of the population 1.5 Study of samples requires less space and equipment as they are small in size 1.6 When there are limited resources, sampling is best. The main disadvantage of the sampling is chances of bias. But, seeing so many of advantages, sampling is the best way to proceed in research.

QUESTION 1 (20 Marks)

Outline an example of a research project that would benefit from the stratified sampling approach. Explain why the stratified sampling approach is appropriate for this research project.