Reflective Exercise

Think about a piece of research you have read or research you have been involved with in the past or in current practice settings. What was the sampling approach used and what are the strengths of this approach?

You might, for example, have experienced random sampling approaches being used in a clinical trial. The sampling strategy would have the benefits of reducing sampling errors (such as having over-representation of one particular group) and bias (such as the researcher selecting the most ‘healthy’ members of a population) and increases sample representativeness. This reduces concerns about the sample and increases confidence.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

Further information on randomisation can be accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/what-are-trials/randomization, which discusses randomisation.