Chapter 3
Sampling and Data
Collection Methods
All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except fair uses permitted under U.S. or applicable copyright law.
OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this chapter, you will be able to:
1. Explain the different types of sampling methods for a given study
(InTASC 1, 4; PSEL 1, 2; NELP 1, 2).
2. Describe different methods of data collection used in quantitative, qualita-
tive, mixed, and action research studies (InTASC 1, 4, 6; PSEL 1, 2, 4;
NELP 1, 2, 4).
3. List and describe methods of conducting surveys and interviews (InTASC
1, 4; PSEL 1, 2; NELP 1, 2).
SAMPLING
When designing a research study, an important aspect of the research plan
is identifying the participants of the study. Once the sample is selected, the
researcher needs to also determine how the data will be collected. To select a
sample, the researcher needs to define the population for the research study.
The researcher then determines the correct sampling method that will be used
to identify the participants for the study. The sampling method also influ-
ences how the data will be collected, and the accuracy of the data analysis
results and research findings.
Sampling is defined as selecting the participants for a study from a spe-
cific population. A population is a group of people with some commonality,
usually a common trait or characteristic (e.g., income, education, religious
2020. Rowman & Littlefield.
affiliation, and occupation). For example, a researcher may want to conduct
41
EBSCO Publishing: eBook Collection (EBSCOhost) printed on 7/6/2026 10:56:07 PM UTC via WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY 2359621; Daniel R. Tomal, John
Schwartz; Conducting Research : A Practical Approach to Solving Problems and Making Improvements Account:eds.
, 42 Chapter 3
a study with female high school science teachers in the United States. This
would be the population being analyzed in the study.
Of course, it would be nearly impossible to collect information from every
female high school science teacher in the United States. Therefore, the researcher
needs to select a group of female high school science teachers in the United States
from which to collect the information. This is called sampling, and how it is done
is critical in determining an accurate representative group within this population.
There are several sampling methods that a researcher can use to identify
this sample group. They include simple random sampling, stratified sam-
pling, cluster sampling, systematic sampling, convenience sampling, and
purposeful sampling (see figure 3.1). The sampling method a researcher
uses depends upon the type of research study being conducted (quantitative,
qualitative, mixed methods, and action) and the type of data being collected.
Sampling methods are usually categorized as either probability sampling
methods or non-probability sampling. Probability sampling is a type of random
sampling and is a common quantitative sampling method. Non-probability
sampling methods consists of methods such as purposeful and convenience
sampling and are common qualitative and action research sampling methods.
With probability sampling, every member of the population has an equal
chance of being selected, which is not the case with non-probability sampling.
Quantitative research often uses random sampling. In quantitative research,
assuring that every member of the population has an equal chance of being
selected. It is important so that the group selected (sample) closely represents
the population from which the group is being selected (sampled). Random
sampling also assures that the results of the study may be generalized to the
population as a whole, which is often the goal of quantitative research.
Tvpc of Samolina Definition
Random Sampling Subjects have an equal and independent chance
of being selected.
Stratified Sampling Subjects are selected in equal-sized proportions.
Cluster Sampling Selecting subjects who come from intact groups
versus an individual basis.
Systematic Sampling Selecting subjects from a list on a preset number
basis, such as every tenth person.
Convenient Sampling Selecting subjects based upon convenience or
available basis.
Purposeful Sampling Specifically selecting subjects who are the
targeted subjects for study.
Figure 3.1 Methods of sampling
EBSCOhost: eBook Collection (EBSCOhost) printed on 7/6/2026 10:56:07 PM UTC via WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY. All use subject to
https://www.ebsco.com/terms-of-use.
Sampling and Data
Collection Methods
All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except fair uses permitted under U.S. or applicable copyright law.
OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this chapter, you will be able to:
1. Explain the different types of sampling methods for a given study
(InTASC 1, 4; PSEL 1, 2; NELP 1, 2).
2. Describe different methods of data collection used in quantitative, qualita-
tive, mixed, and action research studies (InTASC 1, 4, 6; PSEL 1, 2, 4;
NELP 1, 2, 4).
3. List and describe methods of conducting surveys and interviews (InTASC
1, 4; PSEL 1, 2; NELP 1, 2).
SAMPLING
When designing a research study, an important aspect of the research plan
is identifying the participants of the study. Once the sample is selected, the
researcher needs to also determine how the data will be collected. To select a
sample, the researcher needs to define the population for the research study.
The researcher then determines the correct sampling method that will be used
to identify the participants for the study. The sampling method also influ-
ences how the data will be collected, and the accuracy of the data analysis
results and research findings.
Sampling is defined as selecting the participants for a study from a spe-
cific population. A population is a group of people with some commonality,
usually a common trait or characteristic (e.g., income, education, religious
2020. Rowman & Littlefield.
affiliation, and occupation). For example, a researcher may want to conduct
41
EBSCO Publishing: eBook Collection (EBSCOhost) printed on 7/6/2026 10:56:07 PM UTC via WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY 2359621; Daniel R. Tomal, John
Schwartz; Conducting Research : A Practical Approach to Solving Problems and Making Improvements Account:eds.
, 42 Chapter 3
a study with female high school science teachers in the United States. This
would be the population being analyzed in the study.
Of course, it would be nearly impossible to collect information from every
female high school science teacher in the United States. Therefore, the researcher
needs to select a group of female high school science teachers in the United States
from which to collect the information. This is called sampling, and how it is done
is critical in determining an accurate representative group within this population.
There are several sampling methods that a researcher can use to identify
this sample group. They include simple random sampling, stratified sam-
pling, cluster sampling, systematic sampling, convenience sampling, and
purposeful sampling (see figure 3.1). The sampling method a researcher
uses depends upon the type of research study being conducted (quantitative,
qualitative, mixed methods, and action) and the type of data being collected.
Sampling methods are usually categorized as either probability sampling
methods or non-probability sampling. Probability sampling is a type of random
sampling and is a common quantitative sampling method. Non-probability
sampling methods consists of methods such as purposeful and convenience
sampling and are common qualitative and action research sampling methods.
With probability sampling, every member of the population has an equal
chance of being selected, which is not the case with non-probability sampling.
Quantitative research often uses random sampling. In quantitative research,
assuring that every member of the population has an equal chance of being
selected. It is important so that the group selected (sample) closely represents
the population from which the group is being selected (sampled). Random
sampling also assures that the results of the study may be generalized to the
population as a whole, which is often the goal of quantitative research.
Tvpc of Samolina Definition
Random Sampling Subjects have an equal and independent chance
of being selected.
Stratified Sampling Subjects are selected in equal-sized proportions.
Cluster Sampling Selecting subjects who come from intact groups
versus an individual basis.
Systematic Sampling Selecting subjects from a list on a preset number
basis, such as every tenth person.
Convenient Sampling Selecting subjects based upon convenience or
available basis.
Purposeful Sampling Specifically selecting subjects who are the
targeted subjects for study.
Figure 3.1 Methods of sampling
EBSCOhost: eBook Collection (EBSCOhost) printed on 7/6/2026 10:56:07 PM UTC via WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY. All use subject to
https://www.ebsco.com/terms-of-use.
