P2 Research Methods - Sampling Methods

Question 1

What are the sampling methods?

Answer 1

• Opportunity
• Random
• Stratified
• Systematic
• Volunteer

Question 2

What is the opportunity sampling method?

Answer 2

Researchers selecting anyone who is available and willing to take part in the study (to do this they would advertise on a notice board / newspaper)

Question 3

What are strengths of opportunity sampling methods?

Answer 3

• The easiest and most convenient method

Question 4

What are limitations of opportunity sampling methods?

Answer 4

• Inevitably biassed (sample is taken from only part of target population). For example asking people in the street on a Monday morning excludes professional people and people from rural areas

Question 5

What is the random sampling method?

Answer 5

Individuals are randomly selected by researchers to represent an entire group as a whole (to do this put names in a hat and pull them out)

Question 6

What are strengths of random sampling method?

Answer 6

• Potentially unbiased because everyone has an equal chance of being selected

Question 7

What are limitations of random sampling method?

Answer 7

• Time and effort (get a list of all the population)

Question 8

What is the stratified sampling method?

Answer 8

Researchers divide subjects into subgroups called strata based on characteristics that they share (e.g race, gender). To do this you could show calculations for how he would have obtained the male participants for a stratification. Use 6 boys and 14 girls

Question 9

What are strengths of stratified sampling method?

Answer 9

• Accurately reflects the population studied
• More diverse data

Question 10

What are limitations of stratified sampling method?

Answer 10

• Researchers can’t classify every member of the population into a subgroup

Question 11

What is the systematic sampling method?

Answer 11

Uses a predetermined system to select the participants from a target group ( to do this write every name of every one in the year group and select every 5th person )

Question 12

What are strengths of systematic sampling method?

Answer 12

• Easy to execute
• Samples are evenly distributed

Question 13

What are the limitations of systematic sampling methods?

Answer 13

• Greater risk of data manipulation

Question 14

What is the volunteer sampling method?

Answer 14

Participants self select to be part of a study ( to do this pull names out of a hat / advertisement )

Question 15

What are strengths of volunteer sampling method?

Answer 15

• Access to a variety of people which may make the sample more representative

Question 16

What are limitations of volunteer sampling method?

Answer 16

• Volunteer bias (keen participants maybe more helpful and willing by nature