Sampling Flashcards
Generalisability
The ability to draw conclusions about people from the research they conduct with a small sample
Opportunity sample
A sample of participants was produced by selecting people who are most easily available at the time of the study e.g. people in your school
1 Strength of an opportunity sample
Easiest method because you just use the first participants you can find
2 Strength of an opportunity sample
If the sample and the target population are very similar, it provides a sufficient estimate of the population
1 Weakness of an opportunity sample
Introduces selection bias as researchers would use participants that are more likely to accept and are similar to them culturally and socially
2 Weakness of an opportunity sample
The sample may not be representative of the entire population
Random sample
A sample of participants produced by using a random technique such that every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected e.g. a random number generator
1 Strength of a random sample
Unbiased, all members of the target population have an equal chance of selection
2 Strength of a random sample
It’s the simplest form of data collection. It requires no basic skills out of the population base or the items researched, just basic observation and recording skills
1 Weakness of a random sample
Takes more time and effort than other methods
2 Weakness of a random sample
There is an added monetary cost to the process as the research must happen at the individual level
Self-selected sample
A sample of participants was produced by asking volunteers e.g. in an ad
1 Strengths of a self-selected sample
It’s a convenient way to find willing participants
2 Strengths of a self-selected sample
Participants are less likely to drop out
1 Weakness of a self-selected sample
Volunteer bias: The participants are likely to be more motivated and/or with extra time on their hands than the population in general
2 Weakness of a self-selected sample
It takes longer because you have to wait for volunteers to actually show up
Snowball sample
It relies on referrals from initial participants to generate additional participants e.g. current participants recruit further participants from people they know
1 Strength of a snowball sample
It enables researchers to locate groups of people who are difficult to access
2 Strength of a snowball sample
Referrals make it easy and quick to find subjects as they come from reliable sources. An additional task is saved for a researcher, this time can be used in conducting the study
1 Weakness of a snowball sample
The sample is not likely to be a good cross-section from the population because it is friends of friends
2 Weakness of a snowball sample
There are fair chances even after referrals, people might not be cooperative and refuse to participate in the research studies
