Research and Statistical Method: Sample Size, Sampling Method, Reliability, Control Variables, and Research Design

RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL METHOD
STUDENT ID:
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Question 1
In selection of appropriate sample size, a tradeoff exists owing to higher accuracy of a larger
sample versus a lower cost of a lower sample. The relevant factors for determining the
minimum sample size are the accuracy desired by researcher (captured as Margin of Error)
along with population standard deviation (σ) which highlights the underlying heterogeneity in
population. The formula for minimum sample size is given below (Eriksson & Kovalainen,
2015).
For the given case study, a larger sample of about 21% of population is justified owing to
heterogeneity in population owing to demographic parameters that would impact the
responses of the participants (Flick, 2015).
Question 2
Since for each sample, the selection of employees is without any classification based on
gender, education or level, therefore the sampling method used in this research study is
simple random sampling (Hair et. al., 2015).
Advantages:
1) It is easy to use and economical to perform
2) Does not require any theoretical knowledge about sampling
3) Classification errors do not exist
Disadvantages:
1) The sample obtained may not be representative of the population since the key
attributes such as gender, age may not be in the proportion as witnessed in the
population since employees have not been classified based on these key attributes
(Hillier, 2016).
Question 3