Sampling Flashcards
Define sample
A group selected from a larger population. This should be representative of the target population — you can generalize
Define population
Everybody in the WORLDDD
Define target population
The entire set of people that psychologists want to research with a particular characteristic
Define representative
An accurate reflection of a larger group of people
Define Generalisability
The ability to draw conclusions that apply to a larger group outside of research
What are the 5 sampling techniques
Random
Opportunity
Volunteer
Systematic
Stratified
Define random sampling
Each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected
Explain the random sampling method
Random sampling technique is used to select each individual e.g out of a hat
Strengths of random sampling
-representative sample most of the time and high population validity
Weakness of random sampling
-you may get people if the same demographic by accident meaning a non-representative sample
Define opportunity sample
Participants are presently available to the researcher are used
Explain the method of the opportunity sample
Researcher approaches individuals and asks them to participate
Strengths of opportunity sample
-easiest p.t collection method which is quick and convenient
Weakness of opportunity sampling
-sample may be biased if all the p.t were from the same area therefore low population validity
Define volunteer sampling
p.t self select to take part in
Strengths of volunteer sample
-minimal effort needed to collect people as they
-this method has the lowest attrition rate
Weakness of volunteer sample
-a high chance of biased sample as people may have a common interest in experiment meaning they have similar attributes making it hard to generalize
Define systematic sample
use of a system to select the participants
explain how systematic sample is used
every nth person is selected to be part of the experiment
e.g every 15th person that walks past
strength of systematic sample
-this is an unbiased method using an objective system
weakness of systematic sample
-there are some biases in which number you chose
- were it takes place leading to low population validity
define stratified sampling
the number of people is equal to their representation of the population
explain how you use stratified sampling
each group size is viewed regarding the population and then a selection is made regarding their percentage of representation
strengths of stratified sampling
-more representative than any other sampling method as it considers the demographic of the target population and translates it to the sample
