0.6. Sampling

Question 1

Opportunity sampling

Answer 1

People who are available to take part in research and accessible to the researcher
(Anyone around at the time)

E.g. asking people around college

Question 2

Strengths of opportunity sampling

Answer 2

• quick and easy way to obtain ppts

Question 3

Weaknesses of opportunity sampling

Answer 3

• researcher biased sample (in terms of age or background)
• not always representative of a target population
• difficult to generalise

Question 4

Random sampling

Answer 4

Where every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen for the sample

E.g. putting all names from target population into hat then drawing the 1st 10 names in condition 1 and next 10 in condition 2

Question 5

Strengths of random sampling

Answer 5

• not biased
• more likely to be representative of the target population

Question 6

Weaknesses of random sampling

Answer 6

• randomly selected ->may not be representative
• time consuming

Question 7

Stratified sampling

Answer 7

• involves researchers first identifying the different sub groups of people in the population and then drawing ppts from each sub group- pick out proportions

E.g. Tesco has lots of different types of worker there (till, shelves, managers, admin)- identity groups, find proportions and take a sample from each

Question 8

Strengths of stratified sampling

Answer 8

• all subgroups are representative

Question 9

Weaknesses of stratified sampling

Answer 9

• very time consuming
• sometimes difficult to identify subgroups

Question 10

Systematic sampling

Answer 10

Use a predetermined system to select ppts
Every nth person

E.g. picking every 6th person from the yellow pages

Question 11

Strengths of systematic sampling

Answer 11

• unbiased ppts are selected - objective system
  -simple and saves time/ money

Question 12

Weaknesses of systematic sampling

Answer 12

• not truly unbiased unless you select a number using random method and start with this person, and then select every nth person

Question 13

Volunteer sampling

Answer 13

Where people offer their time to be in the study
Usually have an interest

E.g. advertise in the newspaper

Question 14

Strengths of volunteer sampling

Answer 14

• access to a variety of ppts which would make the sample more representative
• saves time when looking for ppts

Question 15

Weaknesses of volunteer sampling

Answer 15

• biased as ppts are likely to be highly motivated with extra time on their hands