Sampling Methods

Psych May

Random Sampling

• Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected

• The aim is to obtain a sample that is representative of the population as a whole

• Reduces the chance of sampling bias

Convenience/Opportunity Sampling

• Convenient for both the researcher and the participant

• Gathers participants who are willing to participate at a time/place

• may cause sampling/researcher bias

Volunteer/Self-Selected Sampling

• Participants are the ones who reach out to the researchers in order to participate

• Typically marketed in order to reach out to participants

• Participants are more committed to the study as they are participating on their own account

Purposive Sampling

• Participants who share characteristics that are of the researcher's interest are asked to participate

• There may be methods of snowball sampling

• Participants may be recreuited through direct contact or referral recruited

Snowball Sampling

• Group of initial participants (called seeds) invite others to participate in the study

• Study keeps growing in size until the desired amount of participants is achieved

• particularly useful when studying “hidden populations” (people who are hard to find)