6) sampling methods key terms Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is the target population?

A

The groups the researcher wants to study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why is a target population used?

A

Because the researcher can’t have everyone, so they select a smaller group

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a sample?

A

A small group of people who represent the target population in the study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a key limitation of a sample?

A

It may be biased as it consists of only those available at the time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does sampling enable us to do?

A

If its representative, you can generalise the results of the study to the wider population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the 6 sampling techniques?

A

-random sampling
-opportunity sampling
-volunteer sampling
-systematic sampling
-stratified sampling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is random sampling?

A

Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a sampling frame?

A

A complete list of all members of the target population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How are participants selected from a sampling frame?

A

A computer-based randomiser or pull names from a hat (lottery method)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the pros of random sampling?

A

-no bias
-everyone has an equal chance to be picked
-sample is more likely to be representative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the cons of random sampling?

A

-impractical
-more time and effort needed
-not completely representative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is opportunity sampling?

A

A technique that involves recruiting anyone who happens to be available at the time of the study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How is opportunity sampling conducted?

A

Researcher goes out where they are likely to find their target population and ask people to take part

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the pros of opportunity sampling?

A

-simple
-quick
-easy
-cheap
-naturalistic (natural environment)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the cons of opportunity sampling?

A

-unrepresentative
-cannot confidently generalise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is volunteer sampling?

A

When people actively volunteer to be in the study by responding to a request advertised by the researcher (self-selecting)

17
Q

How is volunteer sampling conducted?

A

-People sign up to take part on a request advertised
-Researcher only selects people who are deemed suitable

18
Q

What are the pros of volunteer sampling?

A

-convenient
-economical
-wide audience

19
Q

What are the cons of volunteer sampling?

A

-sampling bias
-don’t know who the people are (online they might be lying)

20
Q

What is systematic sampling?

A

Involves selecting names from a sampling frame in regular intervals

21
Q

How is systematic sampling conducted?

A

-sampling frame is produced
-sampling system is nominated (e.g. every 7th person pulled is being used)
-researcher works through the sampling frame until the sample is complete

22
Q

What the pros of systematic sampling?

A

-simple to conduct
-objective system
-reduces researcher bias

23
Q

What are the cons of systematic sampling?

A

-not truly unbiased
-representativeness is not guaranteed

24
Q

What is stratified sampling?

A

Participants are selected from different subgroups (strata) in the target population in the same ratio as they are subgroups in the population
(E.g. if 10% of the strata are age 10-12, then 10% of those used should be age 10-12)

25
Q

How is stratified sampling conducted?

A

-Identify the number of participants in each strata
-Work out the % of each strata to make up the target population
-researcher then uses random sampling to select the sample

26
Q

What are the pros of stratified sampling?

A

-most representative

27
Q

What are the cons of stratified sampling?

A

-knowledge of population characteristics are required
-time consuming