Running head: SAMPLING PLANS 1 Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling Plans in Research Deloris Vinson Wright Capella University

SAMPLING PLANS 2 Qualitative Study Sampling Plan Qualitative methodology has been under-utilized in the research field of children exposed to domestic violence and what this exposure means to the adolescents who abuse animals. In accordance with this belief, the objective of this study is to develop a child centered qualitative research methodology to examine the possible link between antisocial behavior and adolescent animal cruelty. This research is best associated with qualitative methods of data collection to due to the fact that it is relying on the interpretivism and constructivism aspects of adolescents antisocial behavior in relation to animal abuse and adolescent criminal offending. Qualitative research methodology is most suitable for exploratory research where the aim of the scientific inquiry is identification, description and explanatory. Phenomenology Design A researchers epistemology according to Poulin (2011) and Creswell (2009) is Literally her theory of knowledge (p. 1), which Serves to decide how the social phenomena will be studied (p. 6). Accordingly, the research question examines how a phenomenon is going to be explored and interpreted by the researcher with an elimination of a given theory or a hypothesis. As qualitative research is guided by an understanding of multiple participants meaning, social and historical construction, and theory generation. My epistemological position regarding this study can be formulated as follows: How do adolescents describe their participation in animal abuse as a child and their social bonds to others as a predicting factor of adolescent criminal behavior? Thus, the researcher identifies the essence of the experience concerning the phenomenon as described by the participants in the study and thus, engages with the participants in collecting the data. For example, a phenomenological study can examine the viewpoints of

SAMPLING PLANS 3 adolescents in regards to their participation in animal abuse and antisocial behavior as predicting factors of adolescent criminal behavior and conduct disorder. Purposive and Snowballing Samplings In this regard, the Phenomenon dictates the methods (not vice-versa) including even the type of participants (Hycner, 1999, p. 156). I chose purposive sampling, as considered by Guba and Lincoln (1994) as the most important kind of non-probability sampling, to identify the primary participants. I selected the sample based on my judgment and the purpose of the research; looking for those who have had experiences relating to the phenomenon to be researched. The purposive sampling includes deviant case sampling, participants who possess certain traits or qualities that relate to negative emotional behaviors. Deviant case sampling focus on cases that is special or unusual, typically in the sense that the cases highlight notable outcomes, failures or successes. I made use of Internet searches and telephone inquiry to the offices of the Caddo Parish Juvenile Detention Center, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to identify the Administrator, and managers at this institution, who were responsible for document data of juvenile delinquents arrest records. Interviews were arranged with the managers, as these interviews are the primary unit of analysis, with their informed consent (Hycner, 1999, p. 160). In order to trace additional participants, I used snowball sampling. According to Marshall (1996) snowballing is a method of expanding the sample by asking one participant or informant to recommend others for interviews. As, the Potential sampling bias of certain non-probability sampling techniques can be used as a tool to help avoid a potentially more time consuming and expensive piece of research looking into a potential problem or issue that actually doesnt

SAMPLING PLANS 4 exist (Marshall, 1996, p. 523). When considering a non-probability sampling, it is important to consider how your choice of research strategy will influence whether this is an appropriate decision. As the elements that make up the sample are selected by nonrandom methods. Identified Participants The broad objective of this research is to explore, understand, and address the impact, and burden of aggressive behaviors of children and adolescents in relation to animal cruelty. It was only logical therefore to involve children or adolescents with negative emotional behaviors, as an important source of information. For a phenomenological study, a sample size of ten people are sufficient to reach saturation (Creswell, 1998, p. 65).My hypothesis for the process was that children and adolescent between 10-18 years old who are incarcerated in juvenile detention center would be able to discuss their life exposure to domestic violence within small focus groups. If it proves possible to elicit the issues of these ten juveniles, one would be able to create a measure that would include these issues in the childrens own words. Human Subjects Protection In order to ensure ethical research, I made use of informed consent. Based on Baileys (1996, p. 11) recommended items, I developed a specific informed consent agreement, in order to gain the informed consent from participants, namely:

That they are participating in research. The purpose of the research and the procedures of the research. The risk and benefits of the research. The voluntary nature of research participation. The procedures used to protect confidentiality.

SAMPLING PLANS 5 According to Bailey (1996) honesty coupled with confidentiality reduces suspicion and promote sincere responses. As qualitative researchers maintains that credibility is more acceptable than that of validity. Budget Feasibility Non-probability sampling is useful in exploratory research where the aim is to find out if a problem or issue even exists in a quick and inexpensive way. Provide data more quickly and at lower cost than if individuals were interviewed separately; groups can be assembled on shorter notice than for a more systematic survey (Fowler, 2002). Requires less preparation and is comparatively easy to conduct. Researcher can interact directly with respondents (allows clarification, follow-up questions, probing). Can gain information from non-verbal responses to supplement (or even contradict) verbal responses. Thus, results are easy to understand and more accessible to lay audiences or decision-makers than complex statistical analyses of survey data. Quantitative Study Sampling Plan Empirical research has been conducted to determine whether exposure to domestic violence impacts the behavioral, emotional, academic, and social adjustment of children. Research has indicated that there is a correlation between childhood exposures to domestic violence that is generally associated with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and other possible negative outcomes such as lower social
competence and lower academic achievement (Carr, 1994). This study contributes to the existing literature by using online surveys to gather quantitative data from children and

adolescents who were identify as being exposed to domestic violence as children, to measure the type, amount, and satisfaction with available instrumental and emotional supports.

SAMPLING PLANS 6 Survey Design In quantitative methodologies, the representativeness is the important quality of a sample. As quantitative studies implement a statistical analysis that examines the coefficients and the relationship between the variables being contemplated (Creswell, 2009). Within this study, the independent variables are the abuse of animals and antisocial behaviors, and the dependent variable occurrence of adolescent criminal behavior. Thus, specific sampling procedures are less likely to result in biased samples and the researchers can operate under conditions which minimize or control for errors. Probability sampling is the best approach for random selection in choosing the elements for this study. Cross-Sectional Samplings This type of sampling involves a selection process in which each element in the population has an equal and independent chance of being selected. In probability sampling, researchers sample a population. Dootson (19950) noted that a population is any set of persons or objects that possess at least one common characteristic. Examples of populations that might be studied are all 11-18 years old who are incarcerated in juvenile detention center with a history of participating in a misdemeanor offense and who have previously reported participation in an act of animal cruelty. Since populations can be quite large, researchers directly question only a sample of the population. To generalize from the sample to a population so that inferences can be made about the characteristics, attitude and behavior (Babbie, 1990, p. 146) of those participants with a history of participation in acts of animal cruelty or animal abuse. Survey Sampling The survey design is the preferred type of data collection for this study as it is a non-

SAMPLING PLANS 7 experimental, descriptive research method. Surveys are used extensively to assess attitudes and characteristics of a wide range of subjects. Fink (2002) identified four types of data collection in survey research: Self-administered questionnaires, interviews; structured record reviews; and structured observations (Creswell, 2009, p. 146). Surveys can be useful when a researcher wants to collect data on phenomena that cannot be directly observed. The research method integrated the method of questionnaires into the process of data collection in which multiple regression analysis can be performed to reveal how delinquents reported to have participated in animal abuse (independent variable) in the past and the overall identification of the motivating factor in their participation correlates to the number of crimes in which they were convicted (dependent variable). Thus, the research incorporated a correlational design in which a quantitative analysis best assess the correlation between the identified variables. Identified Participants The link between the research conducted in this study and the methodology is crossreferenced with the file review of intake/admission information provided by the facility that will provide the researcher with the history of the juveniles. A survey sampling method will be incorporated into the research study as the researcher utilize record review (instrument to establish validity) to elicit deviant cases among this population that can offer subjective feedback to the researcher (Fink, 2002). The goal of these documents is to identify 10 juveniles who have reported history of participating in acts of animal cruelty. Human Subjects Protection The purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to review research studies to ensure the protection of human research participants in accordance with the principles of the

SAMPLING PLANS

Nuremberg Code, the Declaration of Helsinki, and The Belmont Report and the mandates of the federal regulations (45 CFR 46). Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Respecting the autonomy and dignity of participants. Minimizing risks while maximizing benefits to participants. Ensuring participants have adequate information to make informed decisions. Weighing the benefits and risks of research and making sure each is equally distributed. Determining vulnerable populations.

Subsequently a face-to-face interview will be conducted in which the moderator will discuss the framework of the study and subjectivity associated to participating in animal abuse, adolescent criminal behavior and conduct disorder. Budget Feasibility Surveys are relatively inexpensive (especially self-administered surveys). They can be administered from remote locations using mail, email or telephone. Consequently, very large samples are not feasible, making the results statistically significant when analyzing multiple variables. Many questions can be asked about a given topic giving considerable flexibility to the analysis. There is flexibility at the creation phase in deciding how the questions will be administered: as face-to-face interviews, by telephone, as group administered written or oral survey, or by electronic means. Standardized questions make measurement more precise by enforcing uniform definitions upon the participants (Babbie, 2007).

SAMPLING PLANS 9 Conclusion Although both focus groups and surveys methodologies have great strengths, they also may collect biased results in so far as they can only reveal what the researchers asked. Thus, the survey approach is a cost-effective alternative to the in-person focus groups. As it allows the researcher to save on facility rental, recruitment costs, and incentives and travel usually associated with focus groups. Clients still are able to monitor the sessions remotely from the convenience of their desktops and ask questions to respondents through the moderator.

SAMPLING PLANS References Babbie, E. (2007). The practice of social research. (11th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Bailey, C. A. (1996). A guide to field research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge.

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Carr, L., T. (1994). The strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research: What method for nursing? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 20, 716-721. Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ___________ (2009). Research design: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Crotty, M. (1998). The foundations of social research: Meaning and perspective in the research process. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Dootson, S. (1995). An in-depth study of triangulation. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 22, 183187. Fink, A. (2002). The survey kit. (2nd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Fowler, F. J. (2002). Survey research methods. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Guba, E., & Lincoln, Y. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105-118). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Hawkins, J. (2012, January 6). Fundamentals of social science research. Retrieved on January 22, 2012 from the University of Capella, Minneapolis, Public Safety website: http://courseroom2.capella.edu/webct/urw/lc16699114307011.tp16699114328011/selectI Hycher, R. H. (1999). Some guidelines for the phenomenological analysis of interview data. 3, 143-164. London, UK: Sage

SAMPLING PLANS 10 Leininger, M., M. (1985). Qualitative research methods in nursing. Orlando, FL: Grune & Stratton. Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2006). Designing qualitative research. (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Marshall, M., N. (1996). Sampling for qualitative research. Family Practice, 13, 522-525. Neuman, W. L. (2000). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Poulin, T. (2011, December 2). Epistemological debates in research. Retrieved on December 4, 2011 from the University of Capella, Minneapolis, Public Safety website: http://courseroom2.capella.edu.webct/urw/lc`6079610869011.tp16079610890011/selectI Seidel, J. V. (1998). Qualitative data analysis. Qualis Research. Retrieved January 22, 2012 from ftp://ftp.qualisresearch.com/pub/qda.pdf. Wiersma, W. (1995). Research methods in education: An introduction. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.