Defining Your Target Population

Dr. Rebekah Clarke: Doctoral Dissertation Coaching

2 May 202206:34

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThe video script discusses the process of defining a study's population, emphasizing the progression from a broad population of interest to a more specific target population and finally to the study sample. It explains the importance of narrowing down the population for data collection and describes how the speaker identified their target population of instructional designers in the United States using LinkedIn. The script also details the use of G power calculations to determine the appropriate sample size for statistical strength and generalizability in the study.

Takeaways

📊 Start by defining the broadest population of interest for your study, to which you wish to generalize the results.
🎯 Narrow down the general population to a specific target population from which you will collect your sample data.
🔍 Consider the logistics of data collection when defining your target population, as this affects who you will approach for data.
📝 Clearly describe your general and target populations in your study to provide context for your research.
👥 Identify your study sample, which consists of the individuals who participate in your study and provide your data.
📈 Use statistical methods, like G*Power calculations, to determine the appropriate sample size for your study to ensure sufficient power.
💡 Ensure your sample size is large enough for each group in your study, especially if you have multiple groups due to independent variables.
🔢 Account for potential incomplete responses or duplicate surveys when calculating your required sample size.
📚 Be prepared to adjust your sample size based on the needs of your specific research questions and statistical tests.
🔍 Include your rationale for feasibility, showing an estimated number of individuals in your population of interest to support your study design.
📝 Clearly articulate the progression from the general population to the target population and finally to the study sample in your proposal and dissertation defense.

Q & A

What is the general population in research?
-The general population, or population of interest, refers to the group to which researchers aim to generalize the results of their study. It could be a broad group such as school teachers, police officers, financial managers, human resource managers, leaders, pastors, etc.
How is the target population different from the general population?
-The target population is a specific segment of the general population from which the researcher ultimately wants to collect sample data. It's a more narrowed down version of the general population, for example, school teachers in a specific school district or county.
What role does the study sample play in research?
-The study sample consists of the individuals who actually participate in the study and provide the final source of data. They are the respondents or participants from whom the researcher collects information.
Why is it important to define the population in a study?
-Defining the population is crucial because it helps ensure that the results of the study can be accurately generalized to the intended group. It also guides the researcher on whom to approach for data collection and how to describe the participants in the study.
How did the speaker narrow down the general population to a target population in their study?
-The speaker narrowed down the general population of instructional designers in the United States to a target population of instructional designers who have a LinkedIn account and are either working predominantly at home or predominantly in the office.
What was the speaker's strategy for selecting their study sample?
-The speaker used G*Power calculations to determine the appropriate sample size for their study. They aimed for a target sample of 154 participants, with considerations for each group (those working at home and those working in the office) based on the research questions and statistical procedures planned.
What is the significance of the inclusion criteria in defining the target population?
-Inclusion criteria are essential because they define the specific characteristics or attributes that participants must have to be included in the study. In the speaker's case, the criteria were working predominantly at home or in the office, which was key for separating instructional designers into the necessary groups for analysis.
How did the speaker ensure the feasibility of their study?
-The speaker conducted research to estimate the number of instructional designers in the United States, as classified by the Bureau of Labor, to argue for the feasibility of their study. This provided evidence that it was possible to gather the required number of participants for the study.
What statistical procedures influenced the speaker's sample size calculations?
-The speaker conducted G*Power calculations for two different research questions, which involved an independent samples t-test and a moderated multiple regression. These statistical procedures dictated the required sample size for each group for the study to be sufficiently powered.
How did the speaker account for potential incompletes or duplicate surveys in their sample size calculations?
-The speaker adjusted their numbers upwards by 20 to account for any incomplete surveys or duplicate entries. This ensured that the sample size was sufficient even if some responses were not usable or if there were重叠 entries.
What was the final outcome of the speaker's study in terms of participant numbers?
-The speaker exceeded their initial target sample size, ending up with approximately 435 total participants, which was considered fantastic for the study's generalizability and strength of results.
How did the speaker present their population details in the dissertation defense?
-The speaker laid out the progression from the general population to the target population and then to the study sample in their proposal and dissertation defense. They provided a clear breakdown of the population sizes, the rationale behind their target population, and the calculations for their study sample size.

Outlines

00:00

📊 Defining Populations in Research

This paragraph discusses the process of defining populations in a study, starting with the broadest population and narrowing down to the specific study sample. It explains the concept of the general population or population of interest, which is the group to which the researcher wishes to generalize the study results. The paragraph further details the narrowing down to the target population, which is the segment from which the sample data is collected. It also touches on the importance of considering how data collection will be conducted when defining the target population. The speaker uses their own study on instructional designers in the United States as an example to illustrate the process of defining populations and narrowing down to a specific target population through LinkedIn, based on inclusion criteria such as working predominantly at home or in the office. The paragraph concludes with a brief mention of the study sample and the speaker's approach to defining it.

05:00

🧮 G Power Calculations and Sample Size Determination

This paragraph delves into the specifics of conducting G power calculations for quantitative research, emphasizing the importance of determining appropriate sample sizes for statistical procedures. The speaker describes their experience with two different research questions requiring separate G power calculations for an independent samples t-test and a moderated multiple regression. The paragraph explains the process of arriving at a target sample size by considering the required minimum sample for each statistical test and adjusting the numbers to account for potential incompletes or duplicates. The speaker's defense strategy of targeting 154 participants, with 77 in each group, is highlighted, showcasing how the speaker translated the broad population of interest into a defined target population and ultimately a specific study sample size. The paragraph concludes with encouragement for researchers to thoughtfully consider their population and approach to data collection when describing their methodology in a dissertation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Defining Population

The process of specifying the group to which the study's results can be generalized. In the context of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of starting with the broadest population and narrowing it down to a more specific target population and study sample. This is crucial for ensuring the study's validity and applicability to the intended group.

💡General Population

The broad group to which the researcher aims to generalize the findings. It represents the entire collection of individuals that share a common characteristic relevant to the study's purpose. The general population serves as the starting point for defining the scope of the research and helps in setting the context for the study.

💡Target Population

A subset of the general population from which the actual data will be collected. It is a more specific group that the researcher aims to study in detail. The target population is identified based on the research questions and the methodology to be used, ensuring that the data collected is relevant and representative.

💡Study Sample

The specific group of individuals from the target population that participates in the study and provides the data. The study sample is the final source of data and must be large enough to ensure the study's statistical power and the generalizability of its findings.

💡Inclusion Criteria

The specific conditions or characteristics that determine the eligibility of individuals to be included in the study sample. Inclusion criteria help ensure that the study focuses on a well-defined group, which can enhance the validity and applicability of the findings.

💡LinkedIn

A professional networking platform used by the speaker to identify and reach out to the target population for data collection. LinkedIn served as a tool for narrowing down the general population to a more specific group that could be surveyed or interviewed for the study.

💡G Power Calculation

A statistical method used to determine the appropriate sample size for a study to ensure that the results are statistically significant and the study has enough power to detect an effect. G power calculations are crucial for quantitative research to prevent underpowered studies and ensure the validity of the findings.

💡Quantitative Research

A research approach that involves the collection and analysis of numerical data to test hypotheses or answer research questions. Quantitative research often uses statistical methods to draw conclusions and make predictions, and it aims to be objective and generalizable.

💡Feasibility

The assessment of whether a study can be successfully carried out given the available resources, time, and other practical constraints. Feasibility is an important consideration in research design, as it helps determine if the study's goals can be realistically achieved.

💡Dissertation

A formal academic document presenting the results of a researcher's original investigation, typically required for completion of a doctoral degree. A dissertation involves in-depth research, analysis, and discussion of findings, contributing new knowledge to the field of study.

💡Research Questions

The specific inquiries or problems that a study aims to address. Research questions guide the direction of the research, inform the methodology, and determine the data collection and analysis procedures. They are central to the research process and are critical for generating meaningful findings.

Highlights

Defining the population in a study is crucial for generalizing results.

The general population is the group to which you want to generalize study results.

The target population is a segment of the general population from which you collect data.

The study sample consists of individuals who participate in the study and provide the data.

Narrowing down from the general population to the target population involves considering data collection methods.

Inclusion criteria and independent variables should be clearly defined for the target population.

The study sample size should be determined through statistical calculations like G*Power.

Aim to exceed the target sample size to ensure strong enough results for generalizability.

Estimating the number of potential participants is important for论证 the feasibility of the study.

Quantitative research often requires different sample sizes for different research questions.

Adjusting sample size calculations to account for incompletes or duplicates is recommended.

Describing the population and data collection process is key in a dissertation proposal defense.

The process from general population to study sample should be clearly outlined in research methodology.

Using LinkedIn as a platform to narrow down the target population for data collection.

The importance of separating the participants into groups based on independent variables.

Detailed explanations of population definitions and sample sizes can strengthen a research proposal.

Transcripts

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Defining Your Target Population

Takeaways

Q & A

What is the general population in research?

How is the target population different from the general population?

What role does the study sample play in research?

Why is it important to define the population in a study?

How did the speaker narrow down the general population to a target population in their study?

What was the speaker's strategy for selecting their study sample?

What is the significance of the inclusion criteria in defining the target population?

How did the speaker ensure the feasibility of their study?

What statistical procedures influenced the speaker's sample size calculations?

How did the speaker account for potential incompletes or duplicate surveys in their sample size calculations?

What was the final outcome of the speaker's study in terms of participant numbers?

How did the speaker present their population details in the dissertation defense?