Participants

Question 1

Define target population

Answer 1

The larger group from which the sample is drawn

Question 2

Define sampling frame

Answer 2

List of all members of the target population

Question 3

Name the seven sampling techniques

Answer 3

Opportunity, self-selected, random, systematic, stratified, quota, snowball

Question 4

Describe opportunity sampling

Answer 4

People who are available at the time and fit the criteria of the study

Question 5

Strengths of opportunity sampling

Answer 5

Convenient/quick, economical

Question 6

Weaknesses of opportunity sampling

Answer 6

Biased sample (approachability), not representative (similar kinds of people, select from small group of target pop.)

Question 7

Describe self-selected sampling

Answer 7

People who put themselves forward for a study

Question 8

Strengths of self-selected sampling

Answer 8

Ethical, not very time consuming

Question 9

Weaknesses of self-selected sampling

Answer 9

Demand characteristics, not representative (specific type of person)

Question 10

Describe random sampling

Answer 10

Every member of target pop. has equal chance of being chosen (e.g. random number generator)

Question 11

Strengths of random sampling

Answer 11

Unbiased (everyone has equal chance of being selected)

Question 12

Weaknesses of random sampling

Answer 12

Time consuming to get sampling frame (if large pop.), not necessarily most representative, may select one type of person

Question 13

Describe systematic sampling

Answer 13

Every nth person selected

Question 14

Strengths of systematic sampling

Answer 14

Unbiased as objective (quasi random), quick to carry out once frame created

Question 15

Weaknesses of systematic sampling

Answer 15

not everyone has equal chance of being included - not truly random or representative

Question 16

Describe stratified sampling

Answer 16

Pop. classified into categories (strata), sample should represent demographics of the pop., chosen in proportion to size in pop., random selection within strata

Question 17

Strengths of stratified sampling

Answer 17

Equal representation, everyone in each category has equal chance of being selected

Question 18

Weaknesses of stratified sampling

Answer 18

Difficult to identify sub-categories - organisation (time consuming)

Question 19

Describe quota sampling

Answer 19

List of characteristics required, takes set quota from each category proportionally to size of pop., choice of researcher - opportunity

Question 20

Strengths of quota sampling

Answer 20

Equal representation of all groups, quicker - participants selected from each group conveniently

Question 21

Weaknesses of quota sampling

Answer 21

Organisation - time consuming, biased - opportunity based

Question 22

Describe snowball sampling

Answer 22

Initial contact, used to provide contacts, new contacts extend chain of participants further until can’t find new contacts

Question 23

Strengths of snowball sampling

Answer 23

No sampling frame required, may give access to those wouldn’t have access to (e.g. deviant groups)

Question 24

Weaknesses snowball sampling

Answer 24

Time consuming, not random - not representative, may run out of new contacts