The process of selecting a subset of population for a survey is called as

RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-2)

Nursing Research & Statistics

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Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Sampling is the process of selecting a subset of a population to represent the entire group in a research study.
It allows researchers to study a large group by examining a smaller, manageable portion.
This process is crucial when it is not feasible or economical to study every individual in the population of interest.
The goal is to select a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population to ensure the findings can be generalized.

Option B: Triangulation is a technique for validating data by using multiple sources or methods; it is not a process for selecting study participants.
Option C: Random allocation is the process of assigning participants to different experimental groups (e.g., control vs. intervention) after they have already been selected into the study. It is a step that follows sampling.
Option D: Elements are the individual units or members that constitute a population (e.g., each person in a city). The term refers to the units themselves, not the process of selecting them.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Sampling in Research Methodology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding sampling is fundamental for nurses to critically appraise research articles. It helps determine if the study's findings are credible and can be applied to their own patient population (generalizability).
A nurse evaluating a new treatment protocol described in a study must first assess the sampling method. If the sample was not representative of the general patient population, the treatment's effectiveness might not be applicable in a broader clinical setting.
What if a study on diabetes management only sampled patients from a high-income urban clinic? A nurse would need to recognize this sampling bias and be cautious about applying the findings to patients in a rural, low-income setting, as their characteristics and resources would be vastly different.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to identify the key concept. The question asks for the name of a 'process of selecting a subset of population'.
Analyze the keywords: 'process', 'selecting', 'subset', and 'population'.
Evaluate each option based on its definition in research methodology.
Option A, 'Sampling', directly matches the definition of selecting a subset from a population.
Consider the other options. 'Triangulation' is about data validation, 'Random Allocation' is about assigning to groups, and 'Elements' are the units themselves. These do not fit the definition.
Conclude that 'Sampling' is the correct term for the process described.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 NursingResearch Sukhpal Kaur p. 244-246

E6 NursingResearch Suresh Sharma 5e Part 1 pp. 232-234, 234-236