Non-Probability Sampling Methods

You are more likely to see this in qualitative work

• Availability/ convincing sampling

  • If your goal with your research is not to be generalizable, you can use convincing sampling. As the name implies, you are creating an available or convenient sample.

  • Just keep in mind that it will have some limitations, and you should be transparent about those. This is a non-random sampling method.

    • Selective-bias: This occurs when the sample is not representative of the population due to the subjective nature of the selection process, which can lead to skewed results.

  • Example: surveying students from a class

  • Why use it?

    • You want to gather some basic opinion information, and the sample makeup may not matter that much for your research purposes.

• Quota sampling

  • It is a technique where researchers ensure equal representation of various subgroups within a population, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of different perspectives.

• Purposive sampling

• Snowball sampling