research methods: sampling Flashcards
What is the definition of a population in research?
A group of people who are the focus of the researcher’s interest, from which a smaller sample is drawn.
What is a sample in the context of research?
A group of people who take part in a research investigation, presumed to be representative of the target population.
What are sampling techniques?
The method used to select people from the population.
What does bias mean in sampling?
When certain groups are over- or under-represented within the sample selected.
What is generalisation in research findings?
The extent to which findings and conclusions from a particular investigation can be broadly applied to the population.
What is a target population?
The large group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying.
What is a random sample?
A sampling method where all members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected.
How is a random sample selected?
- Obtain a complete list of all members of the target population. 2. Assign numbers to all names. 3. Select the sample using a lottery method.
What is a systematic sample?
A sample where every nth member of the target population is selected.
What is a sampling frame?
A list of people in the target population organized into a specific order.
What is a stratified sample?
A sampling method where the composition of the sample reflects the proportions of certain subgroups within the target population.
How is a stratified sample carried out?
- Identify different strata in the population. 2. Work out proportions for the sample. 3. Select participants from each stratum using random sampling.
What is an opportunity sample?
A sample where researchers select anyone who happens to be willing and available.
What is a volunteer sample?
A sample where participants select themselves to be part of the sample.
Fill in the blank: A _______ sample involves participants selecting themselves to be part of the sample.
volunteer
True or False: A systematic sample can start from a randomly determined point to reduce bias.
True
What are some challenges in obtaining a representative sample?
The diverse nature of populations, such as differences in gender, age, interests, and experience.
What is a random sample?
A random sample is potentially unbiased and enhances internal validity by equally dividing confounding or extraneous variables
Random sampling can produce an unrepresentative sample despite its potential for bias reduction.
What is a major challenge of conducting random sampling?
It is difficult and time-consuming to conduct
A complete list of the target population may be extremely difficult to obtain.
True or False: Random sampling guarantees a representative sample.
False
Random sampling is likely to produce a more representative sample than opportunity sampling, but it can still be unrepresentative.
What is a systematic sample?
A systematic sample is an objective sampling method where the researcher has no influence over who is chosen once the selection system is established
This method is more objective if the start point is randomly selected.
What is a potential drawback of systematic sampling?
Participants may refuse to take part, leading to a volunteer sample
This is a common issue across various sampling methods.
What is a stratified sample designed to achieve?
A stratified sample is designed to accurately reflect the composition of the population
This allows for generalization of findings.
What is a limitation of stratified sampling?
Stratification cannot reflect all the ways that people are different, limiting complete representation
Thus, while it aims for representation, it may still fall short.
What is an opportunity sample?
Opportunity sampling is a convenient method that is less costly in terms of time and money
It does not require a list of members of the target population.
What are the two forms of bias associated with opportunity sampling?
- Unrepresentative sample due to specific area selection
- Researcher bias in participant selection
Findings cannot be generalized to the target population.
What is the primary advantage of a volunteer sample?
Collecting a volunteer sample is easy and requires minimal input from the researcher
Participants are often more engaged than those approached randomly.
What is a potential issue with volunteer samples?
Volunteer bias may attract a certain profile of person, affecting generalizability
Those who volunteer may be more curious and eager to please the researcher.
