sampling

Question 1

What are some representative sampling examples?

Answer 1

simple random
stratified random
systematic
quota

Question 2

what is a sampling frame?

Answer 2

group that the researcher selects their participants from

Question 3

What is random sampling?

Answer 3

everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being picked e.g names in a hat

Question 4

What are some strengths of random sampling?

Answer 4

-unbiased everyone has an equal chance of being selected

-only method which is entirely fair

Question 5

What are some weaknesses of random sampling?

Answer 5

-almost impossible to carry out unless the target population is very small

-The sample may not be balanced in relation to class or gender

Question 6

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 6

classifying the population into catagories and then randomly selecting participants within each catagory

Question 7

What are strengths of random sampling?

Answer 7

-avoids over-representation of one catagory e.g too many males

-the sample should be highly representative of the target population

-results will be generalisable

Question 8

What are some weaknesses of stratified sampling?

Answer 8

-it takes more time or resources

-some people may not fit the strata so can’t be catagorised

Question 9

What is systematic sampling?

Answer 9

This is when a system is put in place to select every nth participant from the sampling frame e.g every 5th person

Question 10

What are some strengths of systematic sampling?

Answer 10

-easy once sampling frame is decided

-no bias selection as this method offers a representative sample

Question 11

What are some weaknesses of systematic sampling?

Answer 11

-Bias may be present e.g if every 5th person was male, you would only have males in your sample

-its also time consuming and costly

Question 12

What is quota sampling?

Answer 12

researcher aims to represent the major characteristics of a population by sampling a proportional amount of each

Question 13

What are some strengths of quota sampling?

Answer 13

-relatively easy to administer

-can be performed quickly

-cost-effective

Question 14

What are some weaknesses of quota sampling?

Answer 14

-selection bias can result in a sample that doesn’t represent the population

Question 15

What is volunteer sampling?

Answer 15

-participate in a study because they volunteer

Question 16

What are strengths of volunteer sampling?

Answer 16

-participants are willing

-access to a variety of participants

Question 17

What are weaknesses of volunteer sampling?

Answer 17

-sample might be biased as similar types of people may volunteer

-not enough people may volunteer

Question 18

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 18

-convinence sampling

-the sample is made up of those who are readily available, willing to take part in and are suitable for the research aim

Question 19

What are strengths of opportunity sampling?

Answer 19

-Quickest and easiest sampling technique

Question 20

What are weaknesses of opportunity sampling?

Answer 20

-not representative, the same type of people might be available at the time

Question 21

What is snowball sampling?

Answer 21

-researchers rely on a gatekeeper to access a group

-the gatekeeper introduces them to a group and the sample gets bigger

Question 22

What are the strengths of snowball sampling?

Answer 22

-low cost the researcher is not spending time and money trying to find the participants, they come to them

-can access hard to reach groups

Question 23

what are the weaknesses of snowball sampling?

Answer 23

-it may create a sample where people share similar traits and behaviour characteristics leading to sampling bias

-the researcher has little control over the sampling metho