Sampling Flashcards
What is a sampling
Sampling is an action or process of taking samples of something for analysis.
Types of sampling
Random sampling
Stratified sampling
Systematic sampling
Cluster sampling
Opportunity/Convenience sampling
Quota sampling
Snowball sampling
Random Sampling
when each person has an equal chance of being selected. It is equal and unbiased.
Stratified Sampling
when the sampling frame is divided for example by gender or age.
Systematic Sampling
when there is a regular pattern by choice.
Cluster Sampling
when the population is spread out over a large area.
Opportunity/Convenience Sampling
the people who are available at the time take part in the research.
Quota Sampling
this is when a researcher is sent out with instructions to find people with certain characteristics.
Snowball Sampling
when one respondent puts the researcher in contact with others.
Random Sampling (Strengths)
It is fair in the sense that there is no researcher selection so everyone in the sample has a fair chance of being picked.
Random Sampling (Limitations)
they are not always representative so by chance a researcher may get a sample that is dominated by one sex, age, ethnicity, etc.
what is a sampling frame
list of people in a population
what is the survey population
the people that the research is about
Advantages of sampling
- Sampling saves money by allowing researchers to gather the same answers from a sample that they would receive from the population.
- The number of people a researcher contacts is directly related to the cost of a study ( saves more time)
- Sampling allows researchers to ask participants more questions and to gather richer data than does contacting everyone in a population.
Disadvantages of Sampling
- Difficulties gaining access to a list of a larger population
- time
- costs
- bias
- difficulties in implementing a research strategy.
- problems encountered in planning a piece of research.
