Research Methods Vocab 1: Sampling Flashcards
Define “Target Population”
A specific section of humankind; the group whose behaviour is being studied.
Define “sampling”
A process used to select or gather participants from the target population so you can study them
Define “Participant”
The people in the study
Define “Representative Sample”
When the sample group is typical of the target population (ex: the same
characteristics, demographics etc.)
Example: Having a target population of DP students at TISA and having a sample with a mix of ages, gender, cultures, and abilities
Define “Non-representative Sample”
When the sample of the study does not necessarily represent the target population
Example: Having a target population of DP students at TISA but only having female participants in the sample
Define “Sample Size”
The size of your participant group.
Example: If the target population is big (all 17 years olds in Azerbaijan) then the sample size should be big if you want it to be representative. If the target population is smaller (17-year-olds at TISA), your sample size can also be smaller
Define “Generalize”
When results of a study can be applied to other people in the target population even though they did not actually participate in the study.
Explanation: The more representative the sample, the easier it is to generalize results.
Define “Random Sampling”
When every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
Example: Like the national lottery. The target population would be everyone who bought a ticket and each has an equal chance to win (assuming they all have only 1 ticket)
Define “Purposive Sampling”
Targets a particular group of people determined by particular characteristics that are relevant to the research topic.
Example: Like people who live below the poverty line or Asian-Americans between the ages of 30 and 40.
Define “Snowball Sampling”
Getting a sample by asking participants in the study if they know other potential participants. The current participants refer to new ones.
Example: CEOs who used to have a drug problem recommend others they know who may not want to volunteer or may not be found by random methods
Define “Opportunity Sampling”, and what is it also known as?
Selects a particular group of people who happen to be available. They are simply asked if they would like to join.
Example: Testing a new product at a grocery store with people who happen to walk by.
Define “Self-Selected Sample”
When individuals volunteer and determine their own involvement.
Example: People who answer an advertisement to participate in a study
Define “Stratified Sample”, and what is it also called
Involves dividing the target population into sub-categories. Then create a sample where the sub-categories are represented in the same proportion as in the target population.
Example: The DP cohort is 60% female and 40%, male. So in your sample of 10 people, you should have 6 girls and 4 boys. This can be combined with other types of sampling.
Define “Sampling Bias”
When some members of the target population are less likely to be included which can skew the data.
EXCEPT for the perfectly random sampling (which is VERY rare), all methods have some type of sampling bias.
