Avoiding Data Manipulation when Sampling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Avoiding Data Manipulation when Sampling - Essay Example One of the important features in avoiding data manipulation when sampling is to be aware of the imperfections in the survey. There are an infinite number of means by which sampling exhibits imperfect features, and indeed, the idea of a perfect sample is a misnomer. Edwards (2010) indicates that even the color of a survey can alter sampling response. There are a variety of specific means by which researchers and statisticians seek to avoid these data manipulations in sampling. An overarching approach is to ensure that the survey method is designed in as clear and unbiased as possible. In these regards, Edwards (2010, pg. 26-27) identifies a number of key features to avoid, â€Å"failure of the questionnaire...failure to recognize differences between various kinds and degrees of canvass and to fit the questions to the type of canvass...failure to define the universe with enough precision and to provide a satisfactory frame.† Adhering to these methods greatly aids the research av oid data manipulation. In addition to these areas that must be considered when constructing sampling data, there are features that must be considered to avoid sampling bias. As a means of avoiding data manipulation in sampling its generally recommended that researchers implement random sampling as an overarching model. A random sample consists of a random sampling of survey participants and can be conducted through a number of means. Among these involve a simple random sample, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling, with their distinguishing features based on the means by which they select the sample group (Thompson 2002). When examining sample data from the random sample its important to consider the possible statistical error that can be included, as such errors can be utilized in data manipulation when in actuality they are necessary elements of the research. In these regards, human failure must be avoided as

English Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

English Assignment - Essay Example Due to the dynamic nature of dancing, many dance films were created to show the complexities in the lives of dancers, as well as how their lives were shaped or changed through dancing, and a lot of which were appreciated by most movie-goers as shown by box office ratings and total worldwide grosses. In this paper, two movies about dancing are compared, Save the Last Dance (2001) and Black Swan (2001) which both show dancing as the driving force not just in the plot, but also in changing the lives of the characters portrayed. The dance films Save the Last Dance and Black Swan are high quality films that feature love of dance and how it is related to a person’s upbringing, social status, and character building. The two films are both considered to be high-quality films despite being labeled as independent films, or â€Å"indies† due to the high grosses during the release, the number of awards given to and nominated for, as well as the competence of the actors, the actress es, and the directors. In spite of having production budgets roughly around $10,000,000, both movies did very well in the box office and easily recovered the expenses incurred, with Save the Last Dance totaling a lifetime gross of $131, 706, 803 (Box Office Mojo – Save the Last Dance), and $329, 443, 368 for Black Swan (Box Office Mojo – Black Swan). ... It also won in the MTV Movie Awards in 2001 for Best Kiss (Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas) and Breakthrough Male Performance (Sean Patrick Thomas). Black Swan also received awards as well, not just from award-giving bodies in the United States, but also from around the world. Among these are: AFI Awards Movie of the Year (2011); Academy Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Natalie Portman); Best Foreign Film in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina; Excellence in Production Design Award from the Art Directors Guild; Blue Ribbon Award for Best Foreign Film; Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Natalie Portman); and the Venice Film Festival for Marcello Mastroianni Award (Mila Kunis) (Black Swan – Awards†). The number of awards received by the actors and actresses in the two movies attest to the excellent performance of the cast, and their skills in the portrayal of chara cters were able to carry the films through despite the considerably low budget for both films. Also, the actors and actresses were able to show their versatile acting skills that strongly convinced viewers of the emotions that were felt by the characters that they portray. Their skills were recognized not just by the award-giving bodies, but also the audiences that watched them, since it is a common fact that most films that were able to show true emotions win awards as well as the admiration of the audiences. Aside from the movies having good credentials, both for the directors as well as the actors that played in it, the plots were also convincing enough that many people can