Writing Assignment 2
Multistage cluster sampling is an example of a probability sampling that deals with extensive surveys such as in criminal justice investigations sponsored by the federal government. Multistage sampling works best when obtaining information from a large population, and there is no complete list of the people. For instance, a list of individuals who did not vote or a list of persons not paying government taxes.
Multistage sampling works through approximation of the required sample; for instance, through the provided list, the analyst can estimate elements of interest within a cluster. For example, naturally occurring groupings of criminal offenders or incarcerated individuals. After a random sampling of the groups of interest, the multi-level elements of interest are selected from every cluster, obtaining a percentage of data from the population involved. Not everyone in a bunch belongs or is engaged in a particular act.
Availability sampling is an example of non-probability sampling commonly used due to the availability and reliability of the respondent. During research or any criminal investigation, internet sites, magazine publishers pass the available information concerning the case by responding to the administered questionnaires. Additionally, media houses provide available information by offering samples.
Articles are written about the situation and published in periodicals and magazines having a comment area, for instance, asking the public what they think about a murder case involving a teacher and students. The type of articles is known as follow-up articles where a portion of the population provides results. Voluntary participants offer information that shows the likelihood of public opinion concerning a situation.
Multistage cluster sampling pros include simplification when dealing with a large population of people. The sampling method avoids the stress of dealing with a large population by dividing into smaller groups known as clusters. Researchers with fewer funds, resources, and time use multistage cluster sampling in coping with a vast community. Flexibility, multistage cluster sampling enable investigators to use both random sampling and cluster sampling. However, the researcher also can disintegrate larger groups into smaller ones until the researcher acquires the desired group or information. More so, the researchers are allowed to divide the groups according to their own choice, therefore not restricted, which is convenient and desirable.
Multistage cluster sampling cons involve the loss of data caused by researchers neglecting a portion of the population, making the findings not a full representation of the total population. Through a multistage cluster, not every individual is counted because of difficulties in identifying and reaching everyone. Arbitrariness due to no restrictions in dividing and choosing groups, the process is considered to have subjectivity. Most of the time, the selected group is not optimal; therefore, researchers are forced to justify the choice of the group during the presentation of the results. Cluster sampling consists of several errors, therefore not suitable for research beginners.
Availability or convenience sampling saves on time and money because the data is readily available; therefore, no much effort required by the researcher. Gathering information takes a shorter time compared to other methods, such as quota sampling. Only the available people are approached and not the whole population — an essential process for analyzing criminal data of an already incarcerated individual or group of criminals.
Availability sampling biases in data gathering because the information is collected only from a group of individuals and not the whole population. Equality is therefore not considered, especially where a group of individuals may feel neglected from the sample. Availability sampling has inaccuracies or instead errors. Errors occur when the method fails to provide representative results. It isn’t straightforward to replicate samples due to the different results obtained. Results from availability sampling are considered as representative instead of accurate results. Most of the time, the results obtained from the sampling are not aired by media to the public, including the methodology used.
Multistage cluster sampling and availability sampling are both used in criminal justice research. Multistage sampling is used in a Gallup poll, investigating drug use in a school or a city through random and cluster sampling. Additionally, both availability and multistage sampling are used in the study of labor trafficking and migration. Individual sampling might be useful in cases of cybercrime study, criminal communication, and black-market crimes.

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