#2 EXPLAIN (one) sampling technique

Prompt/question

EXPLAIN one sampling techniques appropriate to research

Answer target

In research, scientists use many different sampling techniques to select participants for their studies. One common method is opportunity sampling (also known as convenience sampling).

Explain opportunity sampling

For this technique, you recruit participants that are more easily available and are willing to participate. You could choose this technique when there could be reasons to believe people are not that different in terms of the phenomenon under study. This is an easy and cheap sample to obtain, and it is useful when generalizability isn’t a concern.

Into to study and second paragraph

A classic example of this approach is the Piliavin & Rodin study

In the Piliavin & Rodin study, the aim was to…..

..investigate how various situational factors may influence prosocial behavior.

In the procedure…..

..this study took place in a New York subway from 11am-3pm on a non-stop trip. 1 of 2 scenarios were witnessed: a man with a cane who was ill or a man who appeared drunk. The confederate collapsed to the floor 70 seconds into the trip and remained until helped. The female researchers recorded data, mostly measuring various forms of helping behavior.

The results showed that…..

..overall, it took people longer to help the drunk man than the ill man, & that 78% of the time someone would help, much more in ill/cane condition.

The reason this study is an example of opportunity sampling is because…..

..it took place in a New York subway, in the middle of the day, & therefore only these individuals were naturally present and available at the time, creating a quick and cost-effective group of subjects who happened to be on board.