Open-ended questions have certain challenges, particularly in interview situations. Opinions tend to be expressed, which may entail that the data may not be reliable or valid. Furthermore, these questions could lead to a tendency to provide answers that are not relevant. In order to curb this problem, it is advisable to consider whether open-ended questions would be appropriate to the purpose of the research. Open-ended questions may for example be useful in situations where multiple and diverse opinions are required to investigate an issue.
To handle the challenge of drawing up a sequence of questions for the first time, the researcher should ensure that participants will feel confident in their responses. To ensure this, questions should begin with an effort to awaken the interest of the participant. Initial questions should for example be simple, easy, nonthreatening, and relevant to the stated objective of the research. Questions should also be interconnected in terms of reference frame, without sudden changes of direction.
Question 1: a) Whereas a parameter describes a full population, a statistic concerns information about a sample of that population.
b)
A population is all the existing members of a certain group being studied, while a sample frame restricts the number of members to be studied to certain criteria.
c)
A restricted sample is restricted to one or more narrow criteria, where the sample is not representative of the population as a whole. An unrestricted sample is representative.
d)
In simple random sampling, all samples of the same size have an equal chance of selection. Complex random sampling can take a variety of forms, such as stratified or cluster sampling.
e)
Convenience sampling relies on sample representatives that are available at any given time or place. Purpose sampling selects a sample subjectively, according to the purpose of the research.
f)
Sample accuracy refers to the position of the sample relative to the true value, while precision refers to the relative closeness of measurements on the same sample.
g)
When measuring variance within a single data source, this is referred to as systematic variance. Error variance refers to all other sources of variability.
h)
Variable parameters have not type, while attribute parameters are those that refer to specific types.
Proportionate sampling refers to strata sample sizes that are proportional to the strata population sizes. Disproportionate methods do no sample strata according to population sizes.
