Designs in Mind

Special consideration should be taken when considering the population for this particular study. As one recent study determines "background In population-based observational studies, non-participation and delayed response to the invitation to participate are complications that often arise during the recruitment of a sample" (Hof, Ravelli, Zwinderman, 2014, p. 1). If what the Hof et al. study found to be true is true, then in this study the special consideration should focus on who is participating and at what time they are participating.

In order to address those two issues, the study will be conducted on a weekend at a local retail establishment that offers sporting equipment and apparel for sale. By doing this, the researcher controls who takes the survey, and though it is still random in nature, it also takes away the opportunity to procrastinate returning the completed survey to the researcher. By asking shoppers to voluntarily answer the research questions, it alleviates the concern of privacy and lowers the risk of participants bias either for or against environmental issues.

The target audience will be adults who are either entering or departing from the retail establishment. They will be asked to voluntarily participate in a quick survey concerning sports equipment and clothing. A non-disclosure form will be available for their information if needed.

The rationale for using this type of random selection is because it offers the most convenient and verifiable solution for a study that seeks to determine the viability of a new product that will be marketed to a large portion of the consuming public regardless of their income level. Since the participants will be shopping at a retail sporting goods store it is assumed that they will have at least some level of interest in a similar product.

Additionally because the random selection method allows for anyone to participate with no regard as to race, age, gender, or income level it provides a true sampling than one that was not so random. Bias in a study is a specific concern in almost every study, and this one is no different.

Because the sample population can be considered to be at least a little interested in purchasing sports equipment or apparel it could be said that there is a positive bias on the participant's side towards participating in a survey such as the one proposed herein. Of course, bias can take place anywhere, and the researcher should always keep that in mind. Additionally, the participants will have to be assured that their privacy and autonomy will be guaranteed.

As one recent study found "the risk of breaching participants' privacy should be minimized in all research as a matter of principle" (Perenger, Cullati, Rudaz, Agoritsas, Schmidt, Combescure, Courvoisier, 2014, p. 3). This study will ensure each volunteer that any personal information gathered will be of a generic nature with no names or contact information being gathered. For those participants who need additional assurance, a confidentiality form will be provided for their perusal. The sampling size will depend entirely on the amount of traffic into and out of the retail sporting establishment.

The researcher hopes to learn a number of different things from this study. By surveying volunteer participants that are entering or departing a sporting.