sampling

Question 1

target population

Answer 1

the wider group of people from whom the sample is drawn

Question 2

sample

Answer 2

smaller group of people selected from the target population for the purposes of that study

it is not possible to test everyone in the target population so psychologists use sampling methods to choose those who are representative of the population as a whole.

Question 3

representative sample

Answer 3

can generalise the results of your study to the wider population

Question 4

the 5 sampling techniques are..

Answer 4

opportunity
volunteer
random
systematic
stratified

Question 5

opportunity sampling

Answer 5

sample of those from the target population who are most easily available at the time of the study

Question 6

strengths of opportunity sampling

Answer 6

easiest method as pts are already there so takes less time to recruit pts

Question 7

stratified sampling

Answer 7

classifying the target population into subgroups/strata based on their frequency in the population and then pts are selected randomly to proportionately represent the subgroup

e.g. target population: 60% female, 40% male
so the sample group must be 60% female and 40% male

Question 7

weaknesses of opportunity sampling

Answer 7

sample is biased as its drawn from a very small group of population.
also, if study is in a uni, pts will mostly be just students

Question 8

random sampling

Answer 8

pts selected using a random technique so every member of target population has equal chance of being chosen

name out of hat, lottery system, computer etc

Question 9

strengths of random sampling

Answer 9

unbiased sample as each member of target population has equal chance of being chosen

Question 10

weaknesses of random sampling

Answer 10

time consuming - need to list ALL pts then contact the ones randomly selected

Question 11

strengths of stratified sampling

Answer 11

more representative sample, as the sample proportionately represents the subgroups in the target population

Question 12

weaknesses of stratified sampling

Answer 12

time consuming - have to identify subgroups, select pts randomly then contact them

Question 13

systematic sampling

Answer 13

obtained by selecting every nth person (where n is a number) from the target population

Question 14

volunteer sampling
(or self-selected sampling)

Answer 14

sample is made up of those from the target population that offer to take part.

Question 15

strengths of systematic sampling

Answer 15

unbiased as researcher uses an objective system

Question 16

weaknesses of systematic sampling

Answer 16

also biased unless you select a number using a random method and then select every nth person

Question 17

strengths of volunteer sampling

Answer 17

easy as pts offer to take part - less time taken to recruit pts

Question 18

weaknesses of volunteer sampling

Answer 18

bias as pts are likely to be highly motivated, have time on their hands, need money or want to be helpful. leads to volunteer bias