Sampling

Question 1

Target population

Answer 1

Every member of a group the researcher tends to study

Question 2

Sample:

Answer 2

• Researchers are unable to conduct a research on a larger target population so researchers use sampling to sample smaller participants. The results of the sample are assumed to apply to all the members of the target population [generalisation]

Question 3

Representative

Answer 3

• The sample used in the study should share characteristics with the members of the target population

Question 4

Random sampling

Answer 4

Each member of the target population has a mathematically equal chance of being in the experiments sample

Question 5

How to conduct random sampling

Answer 5

I] the researcher collects a tall lists of the entire target population
2J all names are then collected in e.g. Computer data base
3] using a random name generator
4) selects participants for the sample

Question 6

Random sample [strengths AO3]

Answer 6

• Avoids research bias

Question 7

Random sample [ weakness A03]

Answer 7

• Participants who are picked may produce an unrepresentative sample e.g. All male genders
• time-consuming to yet a full list of a large target population

Question 8

Systematic sampling

Answer 8

Participants are chosen from a list of the target population. Every n (th) participant is chosen form the sample.

Question 9

How to conduct systematic sample

Answer 9

• Researcher needs full list of target population
• researcher reads down the list selected every n (th) participants to form the sample
  _ This process continues until the sample required is chosen

Question 10

Systematic sample [strengths AO3]

Answer 10

• Avoids research bias
• less time consuming of there is an existing list of the target population

Question 11

Systematic sample [ weakness AO3]

Answer 11

• May result in an unrepresentative sample [e.g. Too now members of one gender ]
• difficult to get a full list it target population is large

Question 12

Opportunity sampling

Answer 12

-The researcher directly as available members of the target population to take part in the research

Question 13

How to conduct an opportunity sampling

Answer 13

-research any members from within the population to take part in the research
-Any individuals who agreed to take part or to sample until the number of participant required is met

Question 14

Opportunity sampling [A03] strengths

Answer 14

• Less time consuming as it is the fastest way to get a sample
• reducing cost

Question 15

Opportunity sampling weaknesses [AO3]

Answer 15

-research bias- they may be an increase of research bias as a researchers are in control of which kind of participants he or she would want to ask for a study
-Opportunity samples are unlikely to be representative as a participants chosen are the type of people that research has easy to access to

Question 16

Volunteer sampling

Answer 16

Participants offered to take part after finding up about the research e.g. this is likely after seeing an advert in a newspaper or online

Question 17

How to conduct a volunteer sampling

Answer 17

-Advertisements are placed where they are likely to be seen by members of the target population
-Will include contact details and the researcher will enroll the volunteer into the sample

Question 18

Volunteer sample [strengths [A03]

Answer 18

-advertisement can reach a large number of potential participants
_ An easy sample to collect as participants are putting themselves forward

Question 19

Volunteer sample [weakness] [A03]

Answer 19

-The sample may not be generalisable to the target population due to volunteer bias types of people who volunteered to take part are likely to have different characteristics to the target population

Question 20

Stratified sampling:

Answer 20

By selecting from within the sub group, the characteristics of participants within the sample are in the same proportion as found within the target population

Question 21

How conduct stratified sampling

Answer 21

-sub group identified along with the proportion in the target population [e.g. age, gender]
_ random sampling is then used to select a number of participants required from within each stratum

Question 22

Stratified sampling [ strengths A03]

Answer 22

-The sample is representative of the larger tiny population meaning the results are with the sample should be generalised to the target population
_ Avoids research buyers as a participants are randomly tracing from within each stratum

Question 23

Stratified sampling weakness [A03]

Answer 23

-a limited amount of characteristics can be included in a stratified sample
_ may increase research as the researcher decides which strata are important
-Time consuming to establish strata and then randomly select from each stratum