Lesson 6 - Sampling Techniques

Question 1

Sampling Techniques

Answer 1

Psychological studies involve samples drawn from larger populations
Target population is group who are being studies and want results get generalised to
Sampling techniques are used to obtain a sample of the target population and are essential to avoid studying entire target population which takes too long and is too expensive
Sample should be representative of population it is drawn from so findings can be generalised

Question 2

Random Sampling

Answer 2

Every member of the target population has the same chance of being selected
I.e. names in a hat method

Question 3

Random Sampling Advantages

Answer 3

Sample is likely to be representative and therefore results can be generalised to the target population

Question 4

Random Sampling Disadvantages

Answer 4

Sometimes difficult to get full details of a target population from which to select a sample
Additionally not all members of target population who are selected will be available to willing to take part, making sample unrepresentative

Question 5

Systematic Sampling

Answer 5

Participants are selected by taking every Nth person from a list

Question 6

Systematic Sampling Advantages

Answer 6

Simpler than random sampling

Question 7

Systematic Sampling Disadvantages

Answer 7

Process of selection can interact with a hidden periodic trait within the target population
If sampling technique coincides with periodicity of the trait, the sample technique will no longer be representative

Question 8

Stratified Sampling

Answer 8

Involves classifying target population into categories and then randomly choosing a sample that consists of participants from each category in the same proportion as they appear in the target population

Question 9

Stratified Sampling Advantages

Answer 9

All groups within a target population are included therefore sample is representative

Question 10

Stratified Sampling Disadvantages

Answer 10

Time consuming as categories have to be identified and calculated
Details of all people in target population may not be available

Question 11

Opportunity Sampling

Answer 11

Involves selecting participants that are readily available and wiling to take part in study

Question 12

Opportunity Sampling Advantages

Answer 12

Easiest and most practical method of ensuring large samples

Question 13

Opportunity Sampling Disadvantages

Answer 13

High chance that sample will not be representative of target population
Sometimes people feel obliged to take part in research even when they don’t want to which is unethical

Question 14

Volunteer Sampling

Answer 14

Involves people self-selecting to participate in study

Researcher advertises study for people to take part in

Question 15

Volunteer Sampling Advantages

Answer 15

Useful way of finding specific people to take part in particular areas of research

Question 16

Volunteer Sampling Disadvantages

Answer 16

A certain type of person tends to volunteer for research and this means that there is a high chance that sample obtained is unrepresentative (volunteer bias)