Sampling

Question 1

What is random sampling?

Answer 1

This usually involves the sociologist selecting the research subjects randomly from a list of names or addresses called a ‘sampling frame’. The sampling frame is a list of names of the people who make up the research population that the sociologist wishes to research.

Question 2

What is random sampling usually divided into?

Answer 2

It is usually divided into ‘sampling units’.

Question 3

How can random sampling be criticised?

Answer 3

It is possible it can end up selecting a disproportionate number of people from one particular group, creating ‘bias’.

Question 4

What have sociologists developed to ensure random sampling is representative?

Answer 4

Sociologists have developed two variations of the random sample in order to produce representative result.

Question 5

What is systematic random sampling?

Answer 5

Involves randomly choosing a number between one and ten, say seven, then picking out every tenth number, e.g. 7, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57.

Question 6

What does systematic random sampling not guarantee?

Answer 6

It does not always guarantee a representative sample.

Question 7

What is systematic random sampling more likely to be?

Answer 7

Because it uses a larger sample it is more likely to be representative and less likely to be bias of one group.

Question 8

What is stratified random sampling?

Answer 8

Involves dividing the research population into a number of different sampling frames and then using systematic random sampling to select the group that will be the research sample.

Question 9

What is quota sampling?

Answer 9

The researcher decides how many of each category of person should be included in a sample and
then goes out looking for these people until the sample is done.

Question 10

Who uses quota sampling?

Answer 10

People such as market researchers.

Question 11

What does quota sampling lack?

Answer 11

It lacks randomness, there is a danger that bias might creep into the selection of the sample as the researcher may only look for people who ‘suit’ their research

Question 12

What is purposive sampling?

Answer 12

Choosing individuals or cases that fit the nature of the research.

Question 13

Who did Goldthorpe want to study (purposive sampling)?

Answer 13

He wanted to study manual workers with high incomes to see whether they developed a middle-class way of life.

Question 14

What did Goldthorpe’s team do (purposive sampling)?

Answer 14

His team purposely studied workers employed by a car manufacturer in Luton because these manual workers were known to be well paid.

Question 15

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 15

Making the most of situations or opportunities in which the research population is likely to be found.

Question 16

Where do researchers find people when carrying out opportunity sampling?

Answer 16

Researchers may head down to community centres or churches.

Question 17

What is snowball sampling?

Answer 17

This involves finding and interviewing a person that fits the research needs and then asking them to suggest someone else who might be willing to take part.

Question 18

When is snowball sampling handy?

Answer 18

When trying to study deviant or illegal activity.

Question 19

What is volunteer sampling?

Answer 19

Variation of snowball; sociologists may advertise for volunteers in magazines and newspapers or internet.

Question 20

What is a weakness of snowball and volunteer sampling?

Answer 20

They may fail to produce a representative sample, as the people who take part in research may not be typical of the research population that the sociologist is interested in.