sampling methods Flashcards
What is the target population and how/why is it used?
The group of people that the researcher wants to study, they cannot study everyone so they select a sample who can generalize the whole population.
What is a sample?
A small group of people who can represent the whole population.
What is the key limitation of the sample?
Sample may not be representative
What does sampling enable us to do?
infer information about a population based on results from a subset of the population, without having to investigate every individual
What are the 5 types of sampling techniques?
Random, opportunity, volunteer, systematic, stratified
Define random sampling
Which every member of the target population has an equal chance of getting chosen
What is a sampling frame?
A complete list of all members of the target population is obtained
How are participants selected from a sampling frame?
Names in hat, number generator
What are the advantages of random sampling?
No research bias
What are the disadvantages of random sampling?
May not be representative and takes time and effort
Define opportunity sampling and how it is conducted
Recruiting anyone who happens to be available at the time of your study
-stand where target population is
What are the advantages of opportunity sampling?
Simple, quick and easy
What are the disadvantages of opportunity sampling?
Researcher bias
Define volunteer sampling and how it is conducted
People actively volunteering
What are the advantages of volunteer sampling?
More convenient and economical
Reach a wide population
What are the disadvantages of volunteer sampling?
Sampling bias
Define systematic sampling and how it is conducted
Sampling at a regular interval eg. Every 5 people
What are the advantages of systematic sampling?
Simple to conduct
Reduced researcher bias
What are the disadvantages of systematic sampling?
Not truly random because not everyone has an equal chance of being picked
Define stratified sampling and how it is conducted
Participants are selected from different subgroups in the target population in proportion to the subgroups frequency in the population
What are the advantages of stratified sampling?
Most representative
What are the disadvantages of stratified sampling?
Knowledge of population characteristics
required
Time consuming
