PSYB01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Interpersonal Communication, Electrical Resistance And Conductance, Electrodermal Activity
Document Summary
Method used to select participants has implications for generalizing the research results. Most research projects involve sampling research participants from a population of interest. Popln is composed of all the individuals of interest to the researcher. Samples may be drawn from the popln using probability or nonprobability sampling techniques. When important to accurately describe popln, must use probability sampling. Much research more interested in testing hypotheses about bhvr; focus of study is relationships b/w variables being studied and testing predictions derived from theories of bhvr. Participants may be found in easiest way possible using nonprobability haphazard or. Evidence supports view that we can generalize findings to other poplns and situations. Nothing wrong with such methods as long as it is realized that they affect ability to generalize results to some larger popln. Increasing sample size increases likelihood that results will be statistically significant b/c larger samples provide more accurate estimates of popln values.