Sampling

What is a representative sample?

A representative sample is a sample that closely matches the target population as a whole in terms of key variables and characteristics.

What is the target population?

The target population is the group that the researcher draws the sample from and wants to be able to generalise the findings to.

What is a sampling frame?

A sampling frame is a smaller group identified from the target population.
It should be representative of the target population so that generalisations can be made.

What is random sampling?

A sampling technique where everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
It involves using chance methods to select participants or allocate them to conditions.

What is stratified sampling?

A sampling technique where participants are selected in proportion to their frequency in the target population.
This ensures the sample is representative of key subgroups.

What is systematic sampling?

A sampling technique where every nth person from a list of the target population is selected.

What is opportunity sampling?

A sampling technique where participants are chosen because they are easily available.

What is volunteer sampling?

A sampling technique where participants put themselves forward to take part in research, often by responding to an advertisement.

Why is representativeness important in sampling?

Because it allows researchers to generalise findings from the sample to the target population.