Sampling techniques and pilot studies

Question 1

What is a target population?

Answer 1

Everyone your research is meant to represent

Question 2

What is a sample?

Answer 2

A group of participants used in the research

Question 3

What is a sampling frame?

Answer 3

A list of people in the population who can be sampled

Question 4

What is Random sampling?

Answer 4

Everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being chosen for the sample

Question 5

Explain how you would use random sampling to select a sample of 100 students out of 2000

Answer 5

1-Allocate each person a number
2-Use a random number generator to choose the 100 people (sample)

Question 6

What are two strengths of random sampling?

Answer 6

-Everyone has an equal chance of being chosen
-It avoids researcher bias

Question 7

What are the 2 limitations of Random sampling?

Answer 7

1-It requires a sampling frame
(impractical)
2- May be an unrepresentative sample to the target
(results cant be generalized to the target population)

Question 8

What is systematic sampling?

Answer 8

Selecting evert 3rd/4th etc member of the target population used

Question 9

Explain how you would use systematic sampling to select a sample of 100 students out of 2000

Answer 9

You would select every 20th person which would give you the sample of 2000

Question 10

What is the 1strength of systematic sampling?

Answer 10

Avoids researcher bias

Question 11

What are the 2 limitations of systematic sampling?

Answer 11

-Requires sampling frame
-May be unrepresentative sample to the target

Question 12

What is stratified sampling

Answer 12

Dividing the subject into sub-groups of similar characteristics, then using random sampling to choose the sample from each subgroup

Question 13

Explain how you would use stratified sampling to select a sample of 100 students out of 2000

Answer 13

Divide the 2000 students into subgroups of similar characteristics, then allocate each person a number, and use a random number generator to choose the sample of 100 people from the subgroups.

Question 14

What are 2 strengths of stratified sampling?

Answer 14

Representative to the whole target population
Avoids researcher bias

Question 15

What are 2 limitations of stratified sampling?

Answer 15

Requires a sampling frame
Time-consuming

Question 16

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 16

Using participants who are available to the researcher

Question 17

Explain how a psychology teacher would use opportunity sampling to select a sample of 100 students out of 2000

Answer 17

The teacher could use his psychology class students as a sample as they’re readily available

Question 18

What is a strength of opportunity sampling?

Answer 18

It’s easy and convenient

Question 19

What are 2 imitations of opportunity sampling?

Answer 19

-May be a biased sample as ppt may share similar characteristics
(eg all taught the same way)
-May be unrepresentative sample to the target

Question 20

What is volunteer sampling?

Answer 20

Where participants volunteer to take part in a study (usually in response to an advert)

Question 21

Explain how you would use Volunteering to select a sample of 100 students out of 2000

Answer 21

The researcher could put out an advert of the experiment he’s doing and volunteers could come forward and volunteer to take part

Question 22

What is a strength of Volunteering?

Answer 22

Participants are keen to take part

Question 23

What are 2 limitations of volunteering?

Answer 23

Volunteer bias
(certain types of people volunteer)

Researcher bias
(researcher may have advertised to a particular type of people)

Question 24

Which sampling techniques are more likely to produce a biased sample?

Answer 24

Volunteer and opportunity sampling

Question 25

Which sampling technique is most likely to be representative of the target population?

Answer 25

Stratified sampling

Question 26

What is a pilot study?

Answer 26

A small-scale run of the actual investigation to ensure it runs smoothly and identify any changes that need to be made

Question 27

What 4 things may be checked in a pilot study?

Answer 27

1- If ppt understood the task
2-Have the ppt been given enough time
3- Are the materials used clear
4-Are the questions clear in a questionnaire?