Determine whether the following sampling is dependent or independent. A research

Question

Determine whether the following sampling is dependent or independent.
A researcher wishes to compare mental health of patients with and without narcolepsy. She obtains a random sample of 626 patients of each category who take a mental health inventory and determines each patient’s mental health.

A. The sampling is dependent because an individual selected for one sample does not dictate which individual is to be in the second sample. B. The sampling is dependent because an individual selected for one sample does dictate which individual is to be in the second sample. C. The sampling is independent because an individual selected for one sample does dictate which individual is to be in the second sample. D. The sampling is independent because an individual selected for one sample does not dictate which individual is to be in the second sample.

Explanation / Answer

First we will see what is dependent and independent sampling.

Suppose we have two samples and there is some relation between these tow samples in some manner. Thus, such samples are called related samples or dependent samples.

Now, two samples can be related to each other in two ways.

1. The sampling units of sample 1 and sample 2 are same subjects measured at two different time points (Before and after treatment)

E.g. We enroll 50 subjects to test the effect of drug A on respirator rate. Thus we measure respiratory rate of 50 subjects before giving drug A. Then, we give drug A to all those 50 subjects and then again calculate respiratory rate of those same 50 subjects after some time. Thus, in this example same 50 subjects were measured twice that is before and after giving drug A. In short. these two samples have same subjects in it and in this manner these samples are related to each other.

2. The sampling units of the two samples are so similar so that they can be treated as same subjects.

Now, let read the given situation in the problem

A researcher wishes to compare mental health of patients with and without narcolepsy. She obtains a random sample of 626 patients of each category who take a mental health inventory and determines each patient’s mental health.

The researcher wanted to study mental health of patients with and without narcolepsy.

Thus, there are two samples one with narcolepsy and second without narcolepsy.

She obtains a random sample of 626 patients of each category

If we read this carefully we get to know that the researcher obtains a random sample of 626 patients of EACH CATEGORY.

Thus, she take 626 patients with narcolepsy and 626 patients without narcolepsy for the study. Thus, these sampling units and not the same patients also they are not similar to considered as same. Thus, there is no relation exist between these two sample.

Hence the sampling is Independent Sampling.

Moreover, subject in first sample cannot dictate anything about the subject in the second sample.

Thus, the answer for this is OPTION D.

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