How do you define a study population? Research studies require specific groups to draw conclusions and make decisions based on their results. This group of interest is known as a sample. The method used to select respondents is known as sampling. Show
What is a Study Population?A study population is a group considered for a study or statistical reasoning. The study population is not limited to the human population only. It is a set of aspects that have something in common. They can be objects, animals, measurements, etc., with many characteristics within a group. For example, suppose you are interested in the average time a person between the ages of 30 and 35 takes to recover from a particular condition after consuming a specific type of medication. In that case, the study population will be all people between the ages of 30 and 35. A medical study examines the spread of a specific disease in stray dogs in a city. Here, the stray dogs belonging to that city are the study population. This population or sample represents the entire population you want to conclude about. How to establish a study population?Sampling is a powerful technique for collecting opinions from a wide range of people, chosen from a particular group, to learn more about the whole group in general. For any research study to be effective, it is necessary to select the study population that truly represents the entire population. Before starting your study, the target population must be identified and agreed upon. By appointing and knowing your sample well in advance, any feedback deemed useless to the study will be largely eliminated. If your survey aims to understand a product’s or service’s effectiveness, then the study population should be the customers who have used it or are best suited to their needs and who will use the product/service. It would be costly and time-consuming to collect data from the entire population of your target market. By accurately sampling your study population, it is possible to build a true picture of the target market using the trends in the results. Choosing an accurate sample from the study populationThe decision on an appropriate sample depends on several key factors.
Sampling techniques for your study populationNow that you understand that you cannot survey the entire study population due to various factors, you should adopt one of the sample selection methodologies that best suits your research study. In general terms, two methodologies can be applied: probability sampling and non-probability sampling. Sampling Techniques: Probability SamplingThis method is used to select sample objects from a population based on probability theory. Everyone is included in the sample and has an equal chance of being selected. There is no bias in this type of sample. Every person in the population has the opportunity to be part of the research. Probability sampling can be categorized into four types:
Sampling techniques: Non-probabilistic samplingThe non-probability sampling method uses the researcher’s preference regarding sample selection. This sampling method derives primarily from the researcher’s ability to access this sample. Here the population members do not have the same opportunities to be part of the sample. Non-probability sampling can be further classified into four distinct types:
Advantages and disadvantages of sampling in a study populationIn most cases, of the total study population, perceptions can only be obtained from predefined samples. This comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of them are listed below. Advantages
Disadvantages
At QuestionPro we can help you carry out your study with your study population. Learn about all the features of our online survey software and start conducting your research today! What is it called when you survey an entire population?A survey that measures the entire target population is called a census.
What do you name a person who represents the whole population of the study's target respondents?Representative samples are known for collecting results, insights, and observations that can be confidently relied on as a representation of the larger population being studied. As such, representative sampling is typically the best method for marketing or psychology studies.
What do you call a representative of a population for analysis?A representative sample is a sample from a larger group that accurately represents the characteristics of a larger population. It's known as a representative sample because the answers obtained from it accurately reflect the results you would achieve by interviewing the entire population.
Who are the participants target population of this study?The target population is the total group of individuals from which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part in the investigation. The people who take part are referred to as “participants”.
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