Question

Since the coronavirus has had a major effect on much life, we would like to have some information on how many people have had it, have it or do not have it. How would you design a study? Would you use a variable measurement that is nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio or a combination of these? Would you obtain your random sample using an study based on an observational, experimental, simulation, published data or a survey using a stratified, clustered, systematic or convenient technique? Please explain.

Answer 1

Nominal variables are used to" name '' or level a series of values. Ordinal scales provide good information about the order of choices, such as in a customer satisfaction survey. Interval scale gives us the order of values +the ability to quantify the difference between each one. Finally, ratio scales give us the ultimate order , interval values plus the ability to calculate ratios since a true zero can be defines.

A random sample is one in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen.

A stratified sample is used when it is important to have members from multiple segments of the population. First, the population is split into segments (called strata), then a predetermined number of subjects is chosen from each of the data.

Cluster sampling can be used when the population naturally falls into subgroups with similar characteristics. First determine the clusters, then select all the members of one or more of the clusters.

Systematic sampling first involves assigning a number to each member of the population and ordering them in some way. Sample members are selected by choosing the first member randomly then selecting subsequent members at regular intervals after the starting member.

A convenient sample consists only of available members of the population , but this often leads to biased studies.

Observational data is where you observe certain variables and try to determine, if there is any corelation. The researcher has no control over the variables.

Experimental data is where you control certain variable and try to determine if there is any casuality.

Simulations are commonly used when actual conditions are too expensive, dangerous, impractical or unethical to replicate in real life.

Publishing data is the act of releasing research data in published form for use by others.

Survey data is defined as the resultant data that is collected from a sample of respondents that took a survey. This data is comprehensive information gathered from a target audiance about a particular topic of interest to conduct research on the basis of this collected data.

But in the present scinario, in my opinion, no technique described above would fit to design a study regarding how many people have had coronavirus. Only some geometric progression may fit to it.