Sampling, focus groups & interviews

Question 1

Describe purposive sampling

Answer 1

Aims to generate insight and in-depth understanding
Sampling that suits the purpose of the study
Not random

Question 2

Describe snowball sampling

Answer 2

Researcher or participant networks. Start with one person then they lead to more

Question 3

Describe convenience sampling

Answer 3

Accessible and convenient to the research e.g. uni students

Question 4

Describe theoretical sampling

Answer 4

Sampling changes from ideas developed from findings

Question 5

Describe criterion sampling

Answer 5

Sampling a specific event or issue

Question 6

Define the population and the sample

Answer 6

Population - Comprises of all the objects or events of a certain type about which researchers seek knowledge. Can be broad or narrow

Sample - A subset of the population

Question 7

Discuss some issues in the ethics of sampling

Answer 7

Be wary of perpetuating dominance or over-representation from participant type
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Groups who are hard to engage/access and/or less frequently represented? - Consider that your research is non-discriminatory
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Vulnerable participants? - Critical reflexive analysis of your role/position(ing)

Question 8

Describe a semi-structured interview

Answer 8

Know the first questions you are going to ask e.g. Tell me a story about …
More organic approach - conversation is going to change direction
Includes prompting

Question 9

Describe focus groups

Answer 9

A research method that brings together a small group of people to answer questions in a moderated setting