Week 9 Assignment

  1. Do the two-part exercise on p. 184, fully explaining your answers to the questions using your selected evaluation project (not necessarily what you selected back in chapter one). Minimum 100 total words, no maximum word count response. (possible 2 points)

 

  1. Does my project represent research or evaluation?  How do I make that decision?

My project, the Fun Run fundraiser, represents an evaluation.  There were several different factors that led me to that decision.  Out of the three choice listed on page 171, all three choices could be considered for my project.  The choice that fits my project the best is the second choice.  The objective of the project is to raise $11,000 therefore understanding the outcome of the processes makes the most sense.  The evaluation will also show where this specific fundraiser may be improved for future use, but the results will not be used to improve other fundraisers.  The chapter specifically states that if I am conducting an evaluation, I will use a correlational design, which I am using.  I am in no way using an experimental design which is another indication that I am not representing research.  All of these factors have helped me make the decision that my project represents evaluation.

  1. Does my project involve sampling?  If so, what type of sampling will I employ?

My project does involve sampling.  The stakeholders of the fundraiser include the staff members, the parents, and the students.  The elementary school is Kindergarten through 4th Grade.  I will send surveys out to all staff members and to all parents, but will limit the students.  Asking Kindergarten and 1st Grade students to participate in the survey will be too difficult due to their age.  Due to the fact that I will be selecting students based on their grade level, I will be using a judgement sample.

  1. Select and review any two of the following. (Make sure to indicate which ones you summarize and make sure it’s obvious that you read/viewed them.) – (possible 3 points each for a possible total of 6 points)

Simple Random Sampling is also known as SRS.  The first thing that needs to take place is to number the entire population.  The numbers are then chosen at random.  The video describes different ways to do that.  The first would be to put all the numbers in a hat and draw the number of samples needed at random.  Another way would be to use technology to randomly generate the numbers.  The example used is to use a graphing calculator.  If the same number happens to be selected twice, you just skip that number and go to the next.  You don’t count that number twice or interview that sample twice.  This video showed the basics of SRS or Simple Random Sampling.

According to the website, Simple Random Sampling and Other Sampling Methods, sampling methods can be categorized into one of two categories.  The first, Probability Sampling, is where the sample knows there is a probability of being selected.  The second,  Non-Probability Sampling, is just the opposite.  The sample does not have known probability of being selected.  Examples of Probability Sampling include Simple Random Sampling, Stratified Sampling, Cluster Sampling, Systematic Sampling, and Multistage Sampling.  The website discusses the difference in Stratified Sampling and Cluster Sampling in more detail because students seem to have difficulty distinguishing between the two.  It also provides examples of when one sampling method is preferred over the other.  There are two types of Non-Probability Sampling that should be avoided which are volunteer samples and convenience samples.  At the end of the website, there is a suggestion to read an article which provides insight into how major polls are conducted.