A health psychologist wishes to conduct a survey of caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients in the United States regarding their attitudes toward their role and the difficulties they face. What would be the best way to select the caregivers to study?
What will be an ideal response?
Discussion of random and haphazard sampling. Because truly random sampling will be difficult in this case, the psychologist may opt for haphazard sampling in which individuals who are easily available or are convenient to study are selected, perhaps close to the psychologist’s university or medical center. Once the study has begun, the psychologist needs to be alert for any ways in which this sample of caregivers may be systematically different from the actual population. Specific answers may vary.
Reasons why it may be impractical or impossible to study a truly random sample should be provided.
One potential problem is that the psychologist will not have a complete list of the full population. Another potential problem is that not everyone the psychologist approaches will agree to participate (e.g., many will be too busy caring for their loved one). Yet another potential problem is the cost and difficulty of tracking down caregivers who live in remote places.
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