Population, Sample + Sampling

Question 1

Population/research population

Answer 1

The group of people who are the focus of the research and from which the sample is drawn.

Question 2

Generalisable/generalisability

Answer 2

The ability for a sample’s results to be used to make conclusions about the wider population

Question 3

Sampling technique

Answer 3

The way a sample is selected from the population for a study

Question 4

Convenience sampling

Answer 4

• Involves selecting readily available members of the population
• Rather than using a random or systematic approach

Question 5

Random sampling/allocation

Answer 5

• Uses a procedure
• To ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected

Question 6

Stratified sampling

Answer 6

• Involves selecting people from the population
• In a way that ensures that its strata (subgroups) are proportionally represented in the sample

Question 7

Convenience sampling - strength/limitation

Answer 7

• STRENGTH: cost-effective and time-effective
• LIMITATION: likely to produce an unrepresentative sample, decreasing generalisability

Question 8

Random sampling - strength/limitation

Answer 8

• STRENGTH: reduces experimenter bias in selecting participants
• LIMITATIONS: can be time-consuming

Question 9

Stratified sampling - strength/limitation

Answer 9

• STRENGTH: most likely to produce a representative sample
• LIMITATION: can be time-consuming and expensive