SAMPLING METHODS Flashcards
What is a sample?
A sample is a group of people selected to represent a target market or population under research.
Businesses use samples because they don’t have enough time, labor, money and energy to survey the whole population.
What is sampling?
Sampling describes the process of selecting an appropriate sample.
Quota Sampling
Researchers divide the population into groups that share similar characteristics (age or gender) and then have a pre set number of people in each group they have to interview.
Advantages of Quota Sampling
- Quick + Cost Effective
- More reliable than random sampling
Disadvantages of Quota Sampling
- Not representative of the whole population, can lead to statistical errors.
- Bias when choosing sample population and who to interview
Random Sampling
Gives each member of the target population equal chances of being chosen. Respondents are selected randomly.
Random Sampling Advantages
- Reduces Bias
- Representative
- Relatively easy way of obtaining a sample
Random Sampling Disadvantages
- Assumes that all the members of the target population are homogeneously spread.
Convenience Sampling
Selected based on their easy access and proximity to the researcher
Convenience Sampling Advanatges
- Fast, easy and cheap method of sampling because the research groups are readily available.
Disadvantages of Convenience Sampling
- Sample may be biased and not representative of the entire population