sampling Flashcards
what is a target population?
the group being studied.
what is a sampling frame?
list of people from which a sample is taken, eg register. not all sampling methods have sampling frame.
what is a sample?
participants that will be used in research.
what is sample size?
how many participants are involved in study.
what is random sampling?
selecting names randomly from list or sampling frame.
strength and weakness of random sampling?
strength - everyone has equal chance of being picked. less chances of bias.
weakness - not always actually representative. accessing SF is time consuming.
what is systematic/quasi sampling?
picking number between 1-10 eg 6 and then picking every 6th person
pros and cons of systematic sampling?
+ larger the sample, less likely to be biased.
- doesn’t guarantee representative sample. time consuming to get SF.
what is stratified sampling?
participants characteristics reflect those of target population. eg if target population is 65% female, sample reflects this.
what is quota sampling?
no sampling frame, researcher finds out how many of each characteristic they should have and goes out looking for them.
what is volunteer sampling?
people opt into research themselves.
what is snowball sampling?
researcher knows one person who acts as gatekeeper and gives them access to others in the group, eg illegal groups.
what is cluster sampling?
map is used, researcher selects a couple of districts and picks random streets.
You’re doing great!
Keep smashing it!
3 sampling techniques that are non random?
stratified, systematic, cluster.
are quota, volunteer and snowball sampling random or non-random?
non-random.
pros and cons of stratified sampling?
+ can control variables that are important to research, more reliable.
very representative
- have to spend time finding out characteristics.
more complex.
pros and cons of volunteer sampling?
+ 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.
what is opportunistic sampling?
participants both willing and accessible to take part are targeted.
pros and cons of opportunity sampling?
+ no SF needed, quick and easy.
- only those who are there can be selected, not fair to everyone.
- unrepresentative.
pros and cons of snowball sampling?
+ may be too difficult to find sample otherwise.
no SF needed.
- could be bias sample as researcher not in control.
- not representative.
study using random sampling?
british crime survey.
study using stratified sampling?
Archer - symbolic capital and nike identities.
study using snowball sampling?
James - gypsies and travellers.
study using opportunistic sampling?
Venkatesh - criminal gang in chicago.
