Design, Sampling, and Measurement

This unit develops students’ ability to translate research questions into executable study plans by selecting sampling strategies, research designs (quantitative and qualitative), and measurement instruments while attending to feasibility, ethics, and data integrity. It also prepares learners to compute effect sizes, evaluate reliability and validity, and communicate findings through abstracts and conference-style posters.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze sampling options (probability, non-probability, and qualitative sampling) and identify common threats to sample integrity, proposing methods to prevent sample degradation
• Design comprehensive research plans that select appropriate experimental or qualitative designs (including factorial, interrupted time series, repeated measures, covariates, IPA, and thematic analysis), choose or construct questionnaires, and calculate an estimated effect size for feasibility
• Evaluate the reliability and validity of measurement instruments and apply ethical procedures for human participant research to preserve naturalistic conditions and participant welfare
• Apply academic communication skills by composing a structured abstract, preparing a conference-style poster with proper referencing, and presenting research findings in a plenary-style format