Sampling Techniques

Vocabulary flashcards covering different sampling techniques, including random sampling, opportunity sampling, and volunteer sampling, along with their respective pros and cons.

Random sampling

A technique where participants are randomly chosen

Random sampling pros+cons

Pros:

• Unbiased selection with little experimenter influence

• High internal validitu

Cons:

• May be unrepresentative

• Time-consuming and difficult

• Selected P's may not wan to take part

Opportunity sample

A technique where participants are selected based on availability

Oppurtunity sample pros+cons

Pros:

• Easier and cheaper as a list of members may not be required

• Everyone will consent

Cons:

• Researcher bias

• Fail to represent the target population.

Volunteer sampling

A self-selected sampling method conducted through adverts

Volunteer sampling pros+cons

Pros:

• participants are willing and enthusiastic

• Quick + easy

Cons:

• May cause a volunteer bias

• Researcher bias

Stratified sampling

Reflects proportions of the target population

Stratified sampling pros+cons

Pros:

• Based as a represntative of target population

• Easy to generalise data

Cons:

• Time consuming

• Cannot represent every part of the population eg personalities

Systematic sampling

Selecting the ‘n’ number of the target population

• Systematic sampling pros+cons

Pros:

• The researcher is objective

Cons:

• Time consuming

• Some may refuse to take part

What are the 5 types of sampling

Random, oppurtunity, volunteer, stratfied, systematic

Target population

A group of people who are the focus of the researcher's interest. The sample is drawn from the target population.

Sample

A group of people who take part in a research study. A sample is drawn from the target population and it is presummed to be representative of that population