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Course Notes - Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Course Notes - Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Course Notes - Department of Mathematics and Statistics

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Major sources <strong>of</strong> data• Sample surveys - study subjects selected through r<strong>and</strong>om sampling.- Probability samples <strong>and</strong> non-probability samples- Do not trust results from non-probability samples (judgmentsampling, snowball sampling, quota sampling, convenience sampling)- Examples: Questionnaires, quadrat sampling etc• Experiments - deliberate manipulation <strong>of</strong> variables to see response.- Replication, r<strong>and</strong>omisation <strong>and</strong> control.- Sometimes one (or more) element is missing - quasi-experiments.• Observational studies - descriptive or quasi-experimental- If descriptive, probability sampling should be used for reliableinference.- If experimental, absence <strong>of</strong> r<strong>and</strong>omisation implies weaker inference.Sample surveys• Inefficient (usually) to try <strong>and</strong> sample whole population- Usually impossible - even with a ‘census’• Which items do we include?- Need to guard against introducing bias.• Even with r<strong>and</strong>om sampling have to be watch out for nonresponsebias.16

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