POLS 401 Study Guide - Nonprobability Sampling, Sampling Fraction, Sampling Distribution
Document Summary
Direct observation the researcher collects data based on direct observations of the phenomena. Focus groups small group of people brought together by a researcher to engage in a guided discussion about some topic about which the researcher wishes to learn more. Content analysis systematic coding a text, a speech, or news media to determine how that media reports a candidate, issue, or event. Exit polls early voting ruins equal chance. Straw polls - poll that uses non-random sampling, relies on volunteers. Push polls - real aim is to focus on the faults of an opponent. This theory suggests that an individual"s agreement to participate in a survey is shaped by their perception that the costs of participation will be balanced by some potential reward from participation. Purpose/elements: to minimize costs keep survey as brief as possible. Questions should be easy to understand, relevant to the respondent, and facilitate honest responses.
