Sampling Flashcards
1
Q
What is sampling?
A
- The researcher will need to consider who they are carry out the research study on.
2
Q
What is a target population?
A
- The group of people the sociologist is interested in researching to draw conclusions from
3
Q
What is a sampling frame?
A
- A list of names taken from a target population will be selected
4
Q
What is generalisibility?
A
4
Q
What are the seven types of sampling?
A
- Random
- Systematic
- Stratified
- Quota
- Snowball
- Opportunity
- Volunteer
4
Q
What is systematic sampling and an evaluation of this?
A
- This is when people are selected by choosing every nth name from the sampling frame
- A strength is that this is more evenly spread as it allows an even spread of participants
- A weakness is that it is not totally random and can be arranged in way to achieve biased results
4
Q
What is random sampling and an evaluation of this?
A
- Random sampling is when every person has an equal chance of being randomly selected for the sample
- A strength is that everyone has an equal chance and reduces the possibility of sample bias
- A weakness is that it can lead to a biased sample and be unrepresentative
4
Q
What is stratified sampling and an evaluation of this?
A
- This is when the sampling frame is divided into subcategories and a certain number of people are randomly selected
- A strength of this is that it reduces sampling error or bias
- A weakness is that it can be time consuming to set up
4
Q
What is snowball sampling and an evaluation of this?
A
- Snowballing sampling is when it is difficult or impossible to gain a sample size so then asks the participant to reccomend another person who fits the criteria until they have filled the size
- A strength is that it provides an insight into difficult social groups
- A weakness is that it is unrepresentative as it is based on a small network of people
5
Q
What is quota sampling and an evaluation of this?
A
- This divides the target population into sub-categories and the researcher can find a certain amount of people, the first amount of people to fit the description will fill the quota
- A strength of this is it is less time consuming
- A weakness of this is that it can lead to a distorted quota based on the researchers own judgement
5
Q
What is opporunity sampling and an evaluation of this?
A
- Opportunity sampling is when the researcher approaches anyone willing to participate in the study
- A strength is that it is quick and practical
- A weakness is that it can be prone to bias and unrepresentative so hard to make generalisations from
6
Q
What is volunteer sampling and an evaluation of this?
A
- This is when participants have freely self-selected themselves as volunteers in the study
- A strength of this is quick and practical
- A weakness is that it could have volunteer bias who may be unrepresentative and cannot make generalisations
7
Q
What do positivists prefer?
A
- They wants to makes findings that are representative of the population for generalisations and establishing patterns
8
Q
What do interpretivists prefer?
A
- They prefer smaller sample sizers as they do not want to make sweeping generalisations but rather gain a deeper insight into the meaning
