Case Studies, Sampling, Alternative consent

Question 1

What are case studies?

Answer 1

• In depth study, range of methods used on one person or a small group.

Question 2

What are the strengths of case studies?

Answer 2

• uses range of research methods -> this increases reliability, through the process of triangulation (avoids the risk of bias from using only one method/theory).
  -> also good for double-checking results.
• Rich data -> lots of detail.
• Unique cases -> can challenge existing accepted ideas -> suggestions for future research.

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of case studies?

Answer 3

• cause and effect cannot be firmly established.
• cannot usually generalise findings -> focuses only on 1 / small sample rather than larger sample.
• Ethics -> informed consent.

Question 4

What is random sampling?

Answer 4

• Each participant has equal chance of selection, e.g. name drawn from a hat.

Question 5

What is a strength of random sampling?

Answer 5

• unbiased -> all members of target population have equal chance.

Question 6

What are weaknesses of random sampling?

Answer 6

• may end up with biased sample as the sample could be too small.
• Chance that subgroups of a population might not be selected -> fully representative sample is not guaranteed.

Question 7

What is volunteer sampling?

Answer 7

• Researcher advertises study and people can volunteer -> e.g. poster, newspapers.

Question 8

What are advantages of volunteer sampling?

Answer 8

• Quick, convenient and ethical -> usually informed consent.
• Large response rate.
• Allows more in-depth analysis and accurate results.

Question 9

What is a weakness of volunteer sampling?

Answer 9

• Sample is biased as ppts are likely to be more motivated (volunteer bias).
• Could attract participants with certain characteristics -> can make results less representative -> less generalisability.

Question 10

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 10

• Asking people who are available at that time to take part, e.g. researchers may ask parents picking their children up from school.

Question 11

What is an advantage of opportunity sampling?

Answer 11

• Easy and fastest method.

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of opportunity sampling?

Answer 12

• Biased as the sample is drawn from a small part of the population.
• Unlikely to be representative of a target population.

Question 13

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 13

• Selecting people from every section of your population -> in the same proportions.

Question 14

What are the advantages of stratified sampling?

Answer 14

• More representative -> equal representation.

Question 15

What are the weaknesses of stratified sampling?

Answer 15

• Time consuming -> all potential participants need to be assessed and categorised.
• Some groups within a sample may not be represented if a small sample is used.