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What is the difference between a target population and a sample?
A target population is the people who are viable to be selected for the sample whereas the sample is the group of participants used in research.
What is meant by sampling frame?
A list of all people forming a population from which the sample is taken.
Explain random sampling
Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen for the sample (for example a random number generator selects a sample from the population)
Give a strength and limitation of random sampling
Strength:
Avoids researcher bias as everyone has an equal chance of being picked.
Limitations:
May produce sample unrepresentative of target population
Participants selected may not be willing to take part
Explain systematic sampling
Every 3rd/4th/5th (whatever) member of the target population is used for the sample.
Give a strength and limitation of systematic sampling
Strength:
Avoids researcher bias
Is likely to be representative of target population
Limitation
Requires access to all members of target population
Participants selected may not be willing to take part
Explain stratified sampling using the equation
x= category related to experiment
(x/population size) x sample size= sample number for that category
sample number for category is randomly selected from target population for category
Give a strength and limitation of stratified sampling
Strength
Is likely to be representative of target population
Avoids researcher bias
Limitations
Requires access to all members of target population
Very time consuming and costly
Participants selected may not be willing to take part
Explain opportunity sampling
Involves using participants who are easily available for researcher (for example using psychology students in university psychology study)
Give a strength and limitation of opportunity sampling
Strength:
Easy to do and not time consuming
Limitation:
Likely to produce biased sample where participants have similar characteristics
Researcher bias
Participants may not be willing to take part
May produce sample unrepresentative of target population
Explain volunteer sampling
In this technique participants volunteer to take part (usually in response to advertisement)
Give a strength and limitation of volunteer sampling
Strength:
Participants will be keen to volunteer]
Limitation:
Volunteer bias
Likely to produced biases sample where participants have similar characteristics
May produce sample unrepresentative of target population
Which sampling techniques are more likely to produce a biased sample
Opportunity and volunteer
Which sampling technique is more representative of target population?
Stratified sampling
What is a pilot study?
A pilot study is a small scale run of the actual investigation to check that the process runs smoothly and see if any changes need to be made. It usually involves fewer participant than the main study.
Give 4 examples of what might be checked in the pilot study
Are the instruction clear for the participants to fully understand the task?
Have participants been given enough time for the task?
Are the materials used clear and appropriate?
In an observation are the behavioural categories clear?
Note 
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