Sampling Flashcards
What is population?
The large group of people that a researcher is interested in.
What is generalisation?
The sample that is drawn should be representative of the population.
What is opportunity sample?
Ask people who are nearby. E.g. someone you walk past in shopping centre.
Advantages of opportunity sample?
•Quick Method - convenient.
What are disadvantages of opportunity sample?
- Inevitably biased - unrepresentative of target population.
- Means findings cannot be generalised.
What is volunteer sample?
- Participants select themselves to do it.
* Usually through advertising.
What are advantages of volunteer sample?
•Participants are willing - engage more.
What are disadvantages of volunteer sample?
•Likely to be a biased sample - share certain traits e.g. keen. Generalisation limited.
What is random sample?
- Everyone in target population has equal chance of being chosen.
- Lottery method.
What are advantages of random sample?
•Potentially unbiased - free from researcher bias.
What are disadvantages of random sample?
•Representation not always guaranteed.
What is systematic sample?
- Participants are selected using a set ‘pattern’ (sampling frame).
- Every nth person is selected from list.
What are advantages of systematic sample?
•Unbiased.
What are disadvantages of systematic sample?
- Time and effort - complete list of population needed.
* May as well use random sample.
What is stratified sample?
- Participants are selected according to their frequency in target population.
- Subgroups are identified, e.g. gender,age.
