Sampling Flashcards

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1
Q

Define sampling

A

The method used to select participants such as random ,opportunity or volunteer sample or to sample behaviours in an observation such as time sampling

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2
Q

Define random allocation

A

An attempt to control for participant variables in an independent groups design which ensures that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other

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3
Q

Define standardisation

A

Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study

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4
Q

What is a pilot study ?

A

Small scale version of your study to ensure :
- the design works
- participants understand instructions
- if you have missed anything
- validity and reliability

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5
Q

Define population

A

The group of people from whom the sample is drawn

We use a target population if we want to investigate specific individual differences

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6
Q

Define sample

A

The people the researcher actively uses in the research

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7
Q

Define opportunity sampling

A

Involves a sample of participants produced by selecting people who are most easily available at the time of study

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8
Q

Define random sampling

A

Involves a sample of participants produced by using a random techniques such that every member of the target population being tested has an equal chance of being selected

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9
Q

Define systematic sampling

A

Involves a sample being obtained by selecting every nth person and can be a random sample if the first person is selected using a random method and then select every nth person after that

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10
Q

Define stratified sampling

A

Involves a smoke of participants produced by identifying subgroups according to their frequency in the population and then participants are selected randomly from the subgroups

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11
Q

Define volunteer sampling

A

Involves a sample of participants that relies solely on volunteers to make up the sample

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12
Q

What is a advantage of random sampling

A

Unbiased

All members of the target population have an equal chance of selection

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13
Q

What is a disadvantage of random sampling ?

A
  • researcher may end up with a biased sample because the sample is too small
  • subgroups of target population might not be selected does not guarantee a representative sample
  • need to possess a list of all members of the population and then contact all those selected which may take some time
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14
Q

What is a advantage of opportunity sampling ?

A

Easy and fastest method because you just us the first participants you can find

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15
Q

What is a disadvantage of opportunity sampling ?

A

Biased because the sample is drawn from a small part of the target population

unlikely to be representing of a target population

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16
Q

What is a advantage of volunteer sampling ?

A
  • Quick , convenient and ethical if it leads to informed consent
  • large response rate
  • allows more in depth analysis and accurate results
17
Q

What is a disadvantage of volunteer sampling ?

A
  • Sample is biased because the participants are likely to be more highly motivated
  • eg. Getting paid , eager to be helpful, extra time on their hands
18
Q

What is a advantage of systematic sampling ?

A

avoids bias as once the researcher has decided what number they have no control over who is being selected

19
Q

What is a disadvantage of systematic sampling ?

A
  • not completely objective because the researcher may decide on how people are listed before the selection
  • there is a small chance of a ‘freak’ sample which would not be representative
20
Q

What is a advantage of stratified sampling ?

A

more representative than an opportunity sample because there should be equal representation of subgroups

21
Q

What is a disadvantage of stratified sampling ?

A
  • it is time consuming because all potential participants need to be assessed and categorised
  • some groups within a sample may not be represented if a small samples is used
22
Q

What is the Hawthorne effect ?

A

If people are interested in something and in the attention they are getting them they show a more positive response and try harder at tasks

  • results are artificially high = could lead to invalid conclusions
  • opposite occurs if participants are uninterested
23
Q

What are demand characteristics ?

A

There are aspects of the study that allow participants to form an idea about its purpose

If they know what response the researcher is expecting they may respond to “please” them

Causes the data to become invalid

24
Q

What is social desirability bias ?

A

People try to show themselves in the best possible light

They may not complete a task truthfully and give the answers that are more socially acceptable

Results become less valid

25
Q

What is researcher bias ?

A

The researchers expectations can influence how they design their study and how they behave towards the participants

  • Expectations - measurement and analysis
  • hypothesis might be false
  • may focus on amassers that fit their expectations
26
Q

What is investigator bias ?

A

Anything the researcher does that affects how the participant behaves

  • demand characteristics
  • could lead to them asking leading questions
  • participants may react to the behaviour or appearance of a researcher and respond differently
27
Q

What is a unstructured observation ?

A

Researcher writes down everything they see tends to produce accounts of behaviour rich in detail

28
Q

What is a structured observation ?

A

Allows the researcher to quantify their observations using pre-determined list of behaviours and sampling methods

29
Q

What are behavioural categories ?

A

When a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable

30
Q

What is time sampling ?

A

A target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame

31
Q

Advantage of time sampling ?

A

Economical In time and effort

32
Q

Disadvantage of time sampling

A

Some behaviours will be missed and thus the observation may not be representative

33
Q

What is event sampling ?

A

A target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs

34
Q

Example of event sampling

A

How many times a person smiles in a 10 min period

35
Q

Advantage of event sampling

A

Able for recording infrequent behaviours

36
Q

Disadvantage of event sampling ?

A

If too many observations happen simultaneously it may be difficult to record everything