If I do a research project and my hypothesis is that attitudes of human services providers towards HIV/AIDS would improve after participation in a program would my sampling method be simple random, stratified or cluster sampling? I think it would be simple random sampling but I am not sure. Could the data collection process be through surveys before and after the program and the research instrument be education? Please let me know if I am right or correct me if I am wrong.
I suspect the attitudes of HService providers would be different in cities, and in geographic regions. Would you anticipate a difference in SanFrancisco and Dallas? I think I would use cluster sampling. But it really depends on what you mean by human service providers, I think.
Based on your research project and hypothesis, the sampling method that would likely be appropriate for your study is stratified random sampling. Let me explain why.
Stratified random sampling is a sampling technique that involves dividing the population into distinct subgroups or strata based on certain characteristics, such as demographic factors or relevant variables. In your case, you can stratify your sample based on specific characteristics of human services providers, such as age, experience, or geographic location. This approach allows you to ensure that your sample represents different groups within the population and can provide a more accurate representation of attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.
Simple random sampling, on the other hand, involves selecting individuals from the population randomly without any stratification or predetermined characteristics. Since your research hypothesis focuses on the attitudes of human services providers, it would be more appropriate to use stratified random sampling to ensure adequate representation of different provider groups.
Regarding the data collection process, using surveys before and after the program is a valid approach. Surveys can help gather data on attitudes and perceptions, and collecting data both before and after the program can provide insights into changes brought about by participation in the program.
However, it's important to note that the research instrument would not be "education" itself. Instead, the research instrument could be a survey questionnaire that includes items to assess attitudes towards HIV/AIDS before and after the program. The education component would be the independent variable or the intervention being tested, while the survey would collect the data necessary to evaluate the impact of the program on attitudes.
So, to summarize, stratified random sampling would be appropriate for your study, and data collection can involve surveys administered before and after the program, with the research instrument being a questionnaire assessing attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.