lesson 6 sampling techniques research methods

Question 1

define target population

Answer 1

describes a group who researchers are trying to study and want to generalise their results to

Question 2

what should a sample be?

Answer 2

representative of the population so that the findings of the study can be generalised to the target population

Question 3

what is random sampling?

Answer 3

when every member of the target population has the same chance of being selected

Question 4

advantages of random sampling

Answer 4

likely to be representative so results can be generalised to the target population

Question 5

disadvantages of random sampling

Answer 5

difficult to get full details of a target population from which to select a sample
also not all members of the target population may want to or be able to take part making the sample unrepresentative

Question 6

what is systematic sampling?

Answer 6

where participants are selected by taking every nth person from a list

Question 7

advantages of systematic sampling

Answer 7

simpler than random sampling

Question 8

disadvantages of systematic sampling

Answer 8

the process of selection can interact with a hidden periodic trait within a target population.
if the sampling technique coincides with the periodicity of the trait, the sampling technique won’t be representative

Question 9

what is stratified sampling?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

advantages of stratified sampling

Answer 10

all groups within a target population are included so sample should be representative

Question 11

disadvantages of stratified sampling

Answer 11

can be very time-consuming as categories have to be identified and calculated
if you do not have details of everyone in target population, would be difficult to carry out

Question 12

what is opportunity sampling?

Answer 12

involves selecting participants who are readily available and willing to take part

Question 13

advantages of opportunity sampling

Answer 13

easiest and most practical method of ensuring large samples

Question 14

disadvantages of opportunity sampling

Answer 14

high chance sample won’t be representative of the target population
sometimes people feel obliged to take part, unethical

Question 15

what is volunteer sampling?

Answer 15

people self-select to participate in research

Question 16

advantage of volunteer sampling

Answer 16

useful way of finding specific people to take part on areas of research

Question 17

disadvantages of volunteer sampling

Answer 17

certain types of people tend to volunteer making sample unrepresentative