Elissa Ashab Yamin (Initial Post - Unit 7&8)

W‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‍hile census is preferred as is it the most comprehensive all-inclusive information on a population and Martinez et al., (2016:326) points out that basing estimates from a census is preferred, when possible, rarely is this a realistic and attainable goal. Populations are inherently generally large though, and make this task unrealistic, given time constraints and characteristics of a given population. (Drechsler & Reiter, 2010:347) If a complete census is not required or reasonable to carry out, the research will need to use a sample. (Kolb, 2011) When sampling is appropriately used to represent the population, the conclusions and findings allow more accurate generalizations. A benefit of random sampling is that it is recognized as being free from the bias of human judgement and subjectivity. (Taherdoost, 2016) In research where the aim is to have the least amount of randomness, non-probability sampling is the most suitable. (Tansey, 2009) A strength of non-probability sampling is that it will ensure the subset within the population, that are the subject of the study, are included. When considering subset group inclusion, the researcher must ensure that coverage bias is considered and that each subpopulation is represented proportionately. (Räsänen, 2006) Herein is a main limitation of non-probability surveys, and their ability to represent the population overall. (Lehdonvirta, 2021) Primary data is where the individuals that analyze the data were involved in the collection of it and in contrast, secondary data is data that is analyzed by different individuals than whom collected it. (Church, 2002) Data availability especially through online sources has increased in the last two decades and this has led to increasing interest in analyzing and using these secondary data sources. (Windle, 2010:322) International organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) specialize in providing these large datasets publicly for the purpose of being studied and analyzed. Atkinson and Brandolini (2001:11) point out that researchers that seek out secondary data sets often are in search of a convenient data source that is ready for analysis and this is one of the main strengths of secondary data. A limitation of secondary data is that it was not collected for the specific research study so there may be missing variables or it may not suit the intended purpose of the research. With the availability of high-quality large dataset online, will secondary data become more prevalent in research in the coming decade?

 Word count:393

References:

 Atkinson, A.B. and Brandolini, A., 2001. Promise and pitfalls in the use of" secondary" data-sets: Income inequality in OECD countries as a case study. Journal of economic literature, 39(3), pp.771-799.

Church, R.M., 2002. The effective use of secondary data. Learning and motivation, 33(1), pp.32-45. Drechsler, J. and Rei‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‍ter, J.P., 2010. Sampling with synthesis: A new approach for releasing public use census microdata. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 105(492), pp.1347-1357.

Kolb, B. (2011). Determining Probability Samples. In Marketing Research (pp. 177-193). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9780857028013

 Lehdonvirta, V., Oksanen, A., Räsänen, P. & Blank, G. (2021) Social Media, Web, and Panel Surveys: Using Non?Probability Samples in Social and Policy Research. Policy & Internet. [Online] 13 (1), 134–155. Available from: doi:10.1002/poi3.238.

 Martínez-Mesa, J., González-Chica, D.A., Duquia, R.P., Bonamigo, R.R., et al. (2016) Sampling: how to select participants in my research study?. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. [Online] 91 (3), 326–330Available from: doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20165254. 

Räsänen, P. 2006.“Consumption Disparities in Information Society: Comparing the Traditional and Digital Divides in Finland.”International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy26 (1/2): 48–62. Tansey, O., 2009. Process tracing and elite interviewing: a case for non-probability sampling. In Methoden der vergleichenden Politik-und Sozialwissenschaft (pp. 481-496). VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. Windle, P.E., 2010. Secondary data analysis: is it useful and valid?. Journal of Peri Anesthesia Nursing, 25(5), pp.322-324.

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