Lesson 7 - Sampling Techniques

Question 1

What does target population mean?

Answer 1

This term is used to describe the group of people the researcher is studying and aiming to generalised their results to.

Question 2

What are the 5 different types of sampling?

Answer 2

• Random Sampling
• Systematic Sampling
• Stratified Sampling
• Opportunity Sampling
• Volunteer Sampling

Question 3

What is random sampling and how is it carried out?

Answer 3

This is when every member of the target population has the same probability of being selected. Easiest way to carry out this sampling technique is to draw names out of a hat.

Question 4

Advantages of random sampling?

Answer 4

• The sample is likely to be representative and therefore the results can be generalised to the target population

Question 5

Disadvantages of random sampling?

Answer 5

• It is sometimes difficult to get full details of a target population from which to select a sample
• Not all members of the target population who are selected to take part will be available or willing to take part, making the sample unrepresentative

Question 6

What is systematic sampling?

Answer 6

This is a sampling strategy where participants are selected by taking every nth person from a list.

Question 7

Advantages of systematic sampling?

Answer 7

• Far simpler to carry out than random sampling

Question 8

Disadvantages of systematic sampling?

Answer 8

• The process of selection can interact with a hidden periodic trait within the population. If the sampling technique coincides with the periodicity of the trait, the sampling technique will no longer be representative

Question 9

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 9

This involves classifying the population into categories and then randomly choosing a sample which consists of participants from each category in the same proportions as they are in the target population.

Question 10

Advantages of stratified sampling?

Answer 10

• The strength of stratified sampling is that all groups within a population are included, therefore the sample is representative of the population.

Question 11

Disadvantages of stratified sampling?

Answer 11

• Stratified sampling can be very time consuming as the categories have to be identified and calculated