Running head: SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTION PLAN

Sampling and Data Collection Plan

QNT/561

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SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTION PLAN
The research study involves the Pequod Coffee Shop that has recently suffered a decline
in the sales. The research question to be determined in the study is: Is there a difference in sales
based on the three shifts? The dependent variable is sales while the independent variable is the
three shifts applied in the shop (Morning, Afternoon and Evening).Finally, the hypothesis
statements to be tested are (Bell, 2011): There is no an increase in sales based on shorter periods,
and there is an increase in sales based on the shorter shift periods.
This paper focuses on the population size to be used in the research, the target population,
elements to be used in the sampling, the sample size, random sampling method, calculation of
the sample size, reliability and validity of data collection and finally methods of protecting and
storing data of the research instruments.
Research Design
The research design to be applied in this study is the use of survey. The subjects under
study will be provided with the questionnaires to fill as well as engaging them in a face to face
discussion with the researchers (Yin, 2013). The survey shall be based on the consumers
experience with the services offered to the by the coffee shop.
The Questionnaire will contain questions as:
1. Age of the Correspondence in years.
2. How do you find the services at the shop (tick where appropriate).
Not satisfying ( )

Satisfying ( )

3. Give a little explanation of your experience with our

services

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SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTION PLAN

4. Which shift do you usually find convenient with you (Tick where applicable).
Morning shift ( ) Afternoon Shift ( )

Evening Shift ( )

5. How much do you usually spend at the Pequod Coffee Shop?

Less than $ 5 ( ) $5-$10 ( ) $11-$20 (

) Above $20

( )

Population Size and Target

The data obtained from the shop's database about its customers in the past three months
adds up to 13,000 (including the frequent visitors who visit on a daily basis).Further analysis of
the firm's data revealed that it had a customer base of 5000 in number. Hence, the target
population to e used in the study is 10,000 customers (According to the firm's records).
Sample Size
The sample size of the study shall be determined using the following Yamane's formula.
The formula is as shown below (Robert B. Burns, 2008):
Sample size (n) = (Distribution of 50%) / ((MoE%/confidence level score) squared))
Where: MoE is the Margin of Error (That is as 5% under the study.
The confidence level used in the study is 95%

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SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTION PLAN
The true sample size is given as (sample size *population) / (sample size + population-1).
From the calculation, the sample size is found to be 370.
Sampling Procedure
The study shall apply the use simple random sampling procedure to choose the
correspondents.
Data Collection
The tools of data collection that shall be in the research are direct interview and
questionnaire.
Validity and Reliability of the Data
Test for data reliability refers to the measure of how consistent the data collection
instrument is to the results. We shall consider carrying a pilot study to validate and pre-test the
reliability of the questionnaire.
Validity Test
This is the degree at which the results obtained from data analysis would represent the
topic of study. To ensure instrument validity, the results achieved from the use of questionnaire
shall be compared with other results from alternative data collection tools as well as internal
analysis of the tool used (Yin, 2013).
Human Subjects

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SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTION PLAN
The information obtained from the customers would be treated as highly confidential.
Such information shall be used only for the purpose of the research and shall not be to any third
party. (Cooper, 2011).

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SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTION PLAN
References
Bell, A. B. (2011). Business Research Methods. New York: Oxford University Press; 3 edition.
Cooper, D. R. (2011). Business research methods (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Robert B. Burns, R. A. (2008). Business Research Methods and Statistics Using SPSS.
Washington D.C: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Yin, R. K. (2013). Case Study Research: Design and Methods (Applied Social Research
Methods). new York: SAGE Publications, Inc; Fifth Edition edition .

APPENDIX: Calculation of True sample size

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SAMPLING AND DATA COLLECTION PLAN
The true Sample size of the study is calculated as shown below:
Sample size= (0.5 x (1-0.5)) / ((0.05/1.96)2)
=

0.25 / (0.025512)

0.25 / 0.00065077

384.16

True Sample = (384.16 x 10000) / (384.16 + 10000 1)

=

(3,841,603.024) / (10,383.1603)

369.98

370