sampling

Question 1

what is a target population?

Answer 1

the group being studied.

Question 2

what is a sampling frame?

Answer 2

list of people from which a sample is taken, eg register. not all sampling methods have sampling frame.

Question 3

what is a sample?

Answer 3

participants that will be used in research.

Question 4

what is sample size?

Answer 4

how many participants are involved in study.

Question 5

what is random sampling?

Answer 5

selecting names randomly from list or sampling frame.

Question 6

strength and weakness of random sampling?

Answer 6

strength - everyone has equal chance of being picked. less chances of bias.
weakness - not always actually representative. accessing SF is time consuming.

Question 7

what is systematic/quasi sampling?

Answer 7

picking number between 1-10 eg 6 and then picking every 6th person

Question 8

pros and cons of systematic sampling?

Answer 8

+ larger the sample, less likely to be biased.
- doesn’t guarantee representative sample. time consuming to get SF.

Question 9

what is stratified sampling?

Answer 9

participants characteristics reflect those of target population. eg if target population is 65% female, sample reflects this.

Question 10

what is quota sampling?

Answer 10

no sampling frame, researcher finds out how many of each characteristic they should have and goes out looking for them.

Question 11

what is volunteer sampling?

Answer 11

people opt into research themselves.

Question 12

what is snowball sampling?

Answer 12

researcher knows one person who acts as gatekeeper and gives them access to others in the group, eg illegal groups.

Question 13

what is cluster sampling?

Answer 13

map is used, researcher selects a couple of districts and picks random streets.

Question 14

are stratified, systematic and cluster sampling random or non-random?

Answer 14

random.

Question 15

3 sampling techniques that are random?

Answer 15

stratified, systematic, cluster.

Question 16

are quota, volunteer and snowball sampling random or non-random?

Answer 16

non-random.

Question 17

pros and cons of stratified sampling?

Answer 17

+ can control variables that are important to research, more reliable.
very representative
- have to spend time finding out characteristics.
more complex.

Question 18

pros and cons of volunteer sampling?

Answer 18

+ quick, cheap and easy.
avoids ethical issues around consent.
- bias sample, not representative as only ppl who care will volunteer.
not suitable for topics such as DV.

Question 19

what is opportunistic sampling?

Answer 19

participants both willing and accessible to take part are targeted.

Question 20

pros and cons of opportunity sampling?

Answer 20

+ no SF needed, quick and easy.
- only those who are there can be selected, not fair to everyone.
- unrepresentative.

Question 21

pros and cons of snowball sampling?

Answer 21

+ may be too difficult to find sample otherwise.
no SF needed.
- could be bias sample as researcher not in control.
- not representative.

Question 22

study using random sampling?

Answer 22

british crime survey.

Question 23

study using stratified sampling?

Answer 23

Archer - symbolic capital and nike identities.

Question 24

study using snowball sampling?

Answer 24

James - gypsies and travellers.

Question 25

study using opportunistic sampling?

Answer 25

Venkatesh - criminal gang in chicago.