sampling Flashcards
what is the target population?
● group of people who researcher is interested in studying
● can’t include all members of target population so researcher selects sample
what is random sampling?
● each participant in target population has equal chance of being selected to take part
● people given number then picked with random number generator / names out of a hat
what are the strengths of random sampling?
● no researcher bias - no control over who is selected for their sample
● everyone has equal chance of being selected
what are the limitations of random sampling?
time consuming - involves getting list of members of target population
what is opportunity sampling?
researcher recruits people who are readily available/convenient to use at time and place study is conducted
what are the strengths of opportunity sampling?
● convenient - very little time spent gathering sample
● cost effective
what are the limitations of opportunity sampling?
● researcher bias - researcher has control of who they ask to be part of sample
● no guarantee of representative sample - the sample tends to be drawn from one specific area
what is volunteer sampling?
● participants selecting themselves to be part of sample
● usually respond to advert researcher puts out
what are the strengths of volunteer sampling?
less time consuming - researcher doesn’t have to do anything other than post advertisement
what are the limitations of volunteer sampling?
volunteer bias - sample may be made up of one similar type of person (e.g. one who is keen, curious and helpful)
what is systematic sampling?
pre-determined system to select every nth participant from list of names (e.g. every 4th person)
what are the strengths of systematic sampling?
● no researcher bias - researcher has no control over participants who make up sample
● usually representative
what are the limitations of systematic sampling?
time consuming - involves getting list of members of target population
what is stratified sampling?
● subgroups (strata) within population are selected
● this represents the same proportion to their occurrence within the population overall
what are the strengths of stratified sampling?
● no researcher bias - researcher has no control over subgroups of society
● produces representative sample
● accurately represents composition of population
