1) Chapter 7 of Froister & Blessing addresses how many participants should be surveyed in a research study. In addition, statistical analysis requires that we utilize a sample which will provide us with valid results. We must be careful not to analyze a sample which is too small, as it will lead to unreliable results. We also do not wish to incur the cost of utilizing a sample which is too large. If we are looking at sampling from a reasonably large population, there are very important factors which must be considered in determining appropriate sample size. What are the factors that we must consider? How can we compute the minimum required sample size for a study?
2) Please, take a moment to describe the differences between population parameters and sample statistics. When one would use one instead of the other?