Research Methods: Sampling

Question 1

What does population mean ?

Answer 1

Large group of individuals that a particular researcher may be interested in studying ( students attending sixth form)

Question 2

What does target population mean ?

Answer 2

Particular subset of the overall population from which the sample will be taken , for example students attending sixth form in Newcastle

Question 3

What does sample mean ?

Answer 3

Refers to the group of people who take part in research investigation. Drawn from the target population and is presumed to be representative of that population

Question 4

What does representative mean ?

Answer 4

Contains the same characteristics as the the target population from which the sample was taken

Question 5

What does generalisation mean ?

Answer 5

The extent at which the findings and conclusions can be broadly applied to the population

Question 6

What four evaluation points can be used when it comes to sampling ?

Answer 6

Is it representative?
Is there bias involved ?
Time taken
Ease of sampling

Question 7

What are the methods of sampling

Answer 7

Random 
Systematic
Stratified
Opportunity 
Volunteer

Question 8

Main point of random sampling ?

Answer 8

Each member of a population has an equal chance of being picked

Question 9

What is the method of random sampling ?

Answer 9

1) list of all members in target population obtained
2) all names assigned a number
3) sample generated from lottery method

Question 10

What is main point of systematic sampling ?

Answer 10

Every nth member of the target population is elected

Question 11

Systematic sampling method

Answer 11

1) sampling frame created (list’ normally people from the target population sorted alphabetically
2)sampling system made based on number of people required
For example : 25 people but you only need 5 so the nth person would be the every 5th person

Question 12

Stratified sampling main point

Answer 12

Sample reflects the proportion in certain strata within the target population

Question 13

Stratified sample method

Answer 13

1) identify different strata
2) proportions for sample to be representative worked out
3) participants that make up stratum are randomly selected

Question 14

In Manchester 40% people support Man City, 40% support man united, 15% support Bolton and t% support Leeds then in a sample of 20, 8 would support Man City, 8 would support man united, 3 would support Bolton and 1 would support Leeds. What kind of sampling is this ?

Answer 14

Stratified

Question 15

Main point of opportunity sampling ?

Answer 15

Selecting anyone who is willing and available

Question 16

Opportunity sampling method

Answer 16

The researcher simply takes the chance to ask whoever is around at the time ta the time of their study

Question 17

Main point of volunteer sample?

Answer 17

Participants selecting themselves to be part of sample

Question 18

Volunteer sample method

Answer 18

Researcher places an advert in a newspaper or just participants simply raising their hand whenresearcher asks

Question 19

Strengths of random sampling ?

Answer 19

Free from researcher bias - increases validity

Researcher has no influence

Question 20

Limitations of Random sampling

Answer 20

Time consuming
Lost of everyone in target population is hard to get
Unrepresentative
Participants refuse to take part

Question 21

Strengths of systematic sample

Answer 21

Avoids researcher bias

Fairly representative

Question 22

Limitations of systematic sampling

Answer 22

Time consuming (target population list)
Participants refuse to take part
Still not the most representative

Question 23

Strengths of stratified sampling

Answer 23

Avoids researcher bias once participants divided in strata they are randomly selected
Most representative
Generalisation of study to target population is possible

Question 24

Limitations of stratified sample

Answer 24

Very time consuming
People could still refuse to take part
Complete representation is not possible

Question 25

Strengths of opportunity sample

Answer 25

Convenient
Quick and easy
Saves time and money

Question 26

Limitations of opportunity sample

Answer 26

Unrepresentative of target pop because it’s from a specific area - a street in town
Same people present at the same time with similar interests
Can’t be generalised to the target pop
Researcher bias - may avoid people they don’t like the like of or the opposite

Question 27

Strengths of volunteer sample

Answer 27

Easy
Minimal input from researcher
Less time consuming

Question 28

Limitations of volunteer sample ?

Answer 28

Volunteer bias - people who volunteer are doing it for a reason that might affect how far the findings can be generalised