1. Chapter 13 Data Sources, Sampling, and Data Collection

2. People are a key data source First hand information is provided directly by people about their knowledge, experiences, attitudes or behaviors. This is preferred to second hand data Second hand data is provided by people about their perceptions of others’ knowledge, experiences, attitudes of behaviors

3. How those cases are selected will determine if the findings can be generalized to that larger population. Sampling is the selection of some cases to represent a population in which we are interested

4. Probability sampling involves random selection and permits us to generalize to the larger population from which the sample was selected Non-probability sampling usually involves taking cases that are easily available and does not permit generalization

5. Forms of probability samples Simple random Systematic random Stratified random Cluster

6. Forms of non-probability samples Convenience or availability PurposiveQuotaSnowball

7. Data may be obtained from existing Data sets Records, files Documents and reports

8. New data may be collected through Observations Group interviews such as focus groups Surveys Individual interviews

9. Resources Type of data sought Source of data Data collection plans are influenced by