DeVito’s Italian Bakery Sampling Plan
One of the first steps to take when researching a sampling plan to determine what the population’s interests are. This is determined by what the population refers to as every person, event or specific characteristics.
The DiVito Brothers could decide to sample an entire population in order to get all of the population’s interest in their bakery goods.
If the population of interest is too large to study then the DiVito Brothers will have to obtain a sample of the population. Example of sample refers to a subset of a particular population. The main objective for the DiVito Brothers is to develop a sampling plan that is unbiased and that the sampling plan will represent the entire population. In order for the DiVito Brothers to accomplish this goal they will have to include the different minority groups and the diverse populations. The sampling plan will have to also include the different cultural groups. This would also include demographic characteristics, age religion, education, and socioeconomic levels of the population of interest (Beyea & Nicoll, Oct 1997).
Using Sampling Methods
When researching sampling methods we will find that most researchers will use probability or nonprobability sampling methods. Of course this will all be determined by the type of study design the DiVito Brothers what to use. When using Probability sampling methods this will enhance samples of representativeness of the populations of interest.
By using the random selection, researchers and that the sampling plan will represent the entire population. In order for the DiVito Brothers to accomplish this goal they will have to include the different minority groups and the diverse populations. The sampling plan will have to also include the different cultural groups. If a population of interest cannot be defined clearly, then the researchers will choose from a variety of sampling designs to select a probability sample. These different designs could include simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, cluster sampling, and systematic sampling. Each of these sampling methods allows researchers to randomly select samples that best represent the known populations (Beyea & Nicoll, Oct 1997).
When random sampling is not feasible or ethical in every study then we might need to look into ways of doing sampling, this could include doing Nonprobabitly sampling, this method is used when each member or element of a specific population does not have an equal chance of being selected to participate in the sampling.
Convenience Sampling
When using convenience sampling the researchers will be able to use their subjects or elements that are already accessible (Beyea & Nicoll, Oct 1997). One reason that the DiVito brothers would not really benefit from using this method is because it will only access money and time. So at this time I don’t feel that this would be a good sampling method for them to begin using.
Quota, Purposive Sampling
In quota sampling, researchers include specific elements or subjects who may not be well represented in convenience samples (Beyea & Nicoll, Oct 1997). The researchers identify individual demographic characteristics and use quota sampling to ensure that these characteristics are included in study samples. This would be one that the DiVito Brothers might to take closer at because it will research the information on subgroups that could be underrepresented, examples would be ethic groups. Elderly patients, children, and underserved populations this would include the poor, when doing their samples.
Which Sample Size to use
When choosing the right sampling size we have many things to consider, the researchers must first consider which methods they will be using, money set aside for the research and the time factor that will be used to determine the availably of the subjects. Many researchers will consider the number of the study variables. The general rule of thumb in determining sample sizes is “the more variables in the study, the more subjects that will be required.” For example, a researcher may decide to have 10, 20, or 30 subjects per variable (Beyea & Nicoll, Oct 1997).
After researching the different sampling methods I believe that for the DiVito Brothers should consider using the Cluster Sampling Method Cluster sampling is the most widely used type of probability sampling, when using the cluster sampling method they will be able to involve two stages to their sampling research (“Sampling,” n/d,). When using Cluster Sampling they will be able to identify groups, that you will collect data from, this could be schools, health facilities and etc.; these are what is known as clusters, when we make a list of all the sampling we are looking for then we can began to select from the list.
Now the Brothers will be able to develop a list of sample elements that are within their sample clusters, this could be students, clients and more. Then select a sample of elements from each cluster. The result is the sample of individuals from whom data will be collected (“Sampling,” n/d,).
Cluster sampling is the least costly type of probability sampling, because with this method it would not require the Brothers to develop sampling frame of elements before they select a sample.
A cluster is a clearly defined group of sampling elements from which the brothers can
Select a smaller sub-sample. Some examples of clusters are:
· Geographic areas with fixed · Boundaries (for household surveys- · Households and individual · Respondents are the sub-samples to be · Chosen in subsequent stages of · Selection · Schools · Health facilities (“Sampling,” n/d,).
The Brothers will have to decide what types of clusters they will be including. they will have to decide to sample cluster or include all elements, they will need to know how many clusters to choose from or will they be using them all, they will need to sample clusters of varying sizes, select different sample elements, are they going to sample sub groups, and are the just going to be sampling households or are they going to include schools, and other facility’s in the area (“Sampling,” n/d,).
The ethical aspects that the brothers will need to considered in the sampling plan will be That when getting involved in the collecting data process that when asking questions we have to be careful as to how we word them in order not to sound bias the ethical duty that I will have is to respect each person that participants in the sampling. When I conduct the sampling it has to be done in an ethical manner those accords with best research practice. Two important ethical issues to adhere to when conducting a survey are confidentiality and informed consent. The respondent’s right to confidentiality should always be respected and any legal requirements on data protection adhered to. In the majority of sampling, the patient should be fully informed about the aims of the survey, and the patient’s consent to participate in the survey must be obtained and recorded.
Conclusion
For the DiVito Brothers when doing sampling or survey research they will need to perform the same standards as they would in research practice, this would include research approach, journal editors and the broader research community that will be judging the report. Not to say that survey research need be particularly difficult or complex; the point to emphasize is that researchers such as I should be aware of the steps required in survey research, and should be systematic and thoughtful in the planning, execution, and reporting of the project. Above all, survey research should not be seen as an easy, ‘quick and dirty’ option; such work may adequately fulfill local needs but will not stand up to academic scrutiny and will not be regarded as having much value as a contribution to knowledge (KATE KELLEY, BELINDA CLARK, VIVIENNE BROWN and JOHN SITZIA, January 16, 2003, p. 1). With this in mind by doing a cluster sampling I feel would be the right step for us to move forward with when sampling for the bakery. I also believe that many communities have different ethnic groups and to simply sample each group separate I feel would be bias, since they are all living in the community. We all develop different eating habits and by just looking at one particular group in order to rate a business I feel in today’s market would not give us the proper sampling report that we would be looking for. In order for any business to be successful we need to take into conversation all people that are living in the community. Excluding other groups of people would give us a negative sampling report, which would then leave the brothers wondering if they should even keep their doors open for business. The parents at one time have provided the Italian community with quality bake goods and I feel that the brother can expand their business by moving forward with new ideas as well as still keeping their customer service in good standings.
References
Beyea, S. C., & Nicoll, L. H. (Oct 1997). Selecting samples for research studies requires knowledge of the populations of interest. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_n4_v66/ai_19996778/?tag=mantle_skin;content
KATE KELLEY, BELINDA CLARK, VIVIENNE BROWN and JOHN SITZIA. (January 16, 2003). Good practice in the conduct and reporting of survey research. Retrieved from http://intqhc.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/3/261.full#sec-25
The How-To’s of Monitoring and Evaluation. (n/d). Retrieved from http://www.fhi.org/NR/rdonlyres/etdgabwszyyk2hnkqosvl2mieeatan6rrj4l4lfuv52dlbt7knrewo6qfzosuzq7raxy63chxkz32c/Chapter6.pdf