Sampling

Question 1

Random sampling definition

Answer 1

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 2

Random sampling practicality

Answer 2

Moderate
Requires a complete population list and random selection tools.

Question 3

Random sampling ethical

Answer 3

Generally good;
no deception involved,
participants can opt out.

Question 4

Random sampling reliability

Answer 4

High.

Can be repeated and produce similar results.

Question 5

Random sampling validity

Answer 5

High

factual data
less valid for understanding meanings/motives.

Question 6

Random sampling example

Answer 6

Selecting 100 students randomly from a national school registry.

Question 7

Random sampling representativeness

Answer 7

Representativeness: High. Sample mirrors the population if large enough.
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Question 8

Random sampling how theorists would feel

Answer 8

Favoured by positivist criticized by interpretivists for ignoring meanings.

Question 9

Stratified sampling definition

Answer 9

Population divided into sub-groups (strata) and proportional random samples taken from each.

Question 10

Stratified sampling practicality

Answer 10

: Moderate.
Requires knowledge of population breakdown and careful planning.

Question 11

Stratified sampling ethical

Answer 11

Usually acceptable
selection is fair
no deception.

Question 12

Stratified sampling reliability

Answer 12

High.
Standardised selection allows repeat studies to get similar results.

Question 13

Stratified sampling validity

Answer 13

High for quantitative comparisons

less insight into personal meanings.

Question 14

Example of stratified sampling

Answer 14

Sampling equal numbers of boys and girls from each year group in a school.

Question 15

Representativeness of stratified sampling

Answer 15

Very high.
Ensures minority groups are included proportionally.

Question 16

How would theorists feel on stratified sampling

Answer 16

Favoured by positivists; interpretivists criticise its quantitative focus.

Question 17

Define quota sampling

Answer 17

Sample reflects certain characteristics of the population; researcher selects participants to fill quotas.

Question 18

Practicality of quota sampling

Answer 18

High.
Easy to implement; no full population list needed.

Question 19

Ethical of quota sampling

Answer 19

Generally acceptable

but researcher bias can influence selection.

Question 20

Reliability of quota sampling

Answer 20

Moderate.
Standardised quotas help, but subjective participant choice reduces consistency.

Question 21

Validity of quota sampling

Answer 21

Moderate
Captures some characteristics but may miss wider meanings.

Question 22

Example of quota sampling

Answer 22

Interviewing 50 males and 50 females in a shopping centre.

Question 23

Representative of quota sampling

Answer 23

Moderate.

Quotas improve representation,

but biased selection reduces accuracy.

Question 24

How would theorists feel on quota sampling

Answer 24

Positivists partially accept; interpretivists may find it limited for understanding motivations.

Question 25

Define snowball sampling

Answer 25

Existing participants recruit further participants, often for hard-to-reach groups.

Question 26

Practicality of snowball sampling

Answer 26

Low to moderate. Useful for hidden populations, but finding initial participants is challenging.

Question 27

Ethical of snowball sampling

Answer 27

Sensitive. Participants may not want others recruited; confidentiality must be maintained.

Question 28

Reliability of snowball sampling

Answer 28

Low. Hard to replicate; networks are unique.

Question 29

Validity of snowball sampling

Answer 29

High for understanding hidden or marginalised groups.

Question 30

Example of snowball sampling

Answer 30

Studying a local drug-using network through participant referrals.

Question 31

Representativeness of snowball sampling

Answer 31

Low. Sample biased toward particular social networks.

Question 32

How would theorists feel on snowball sampling

Answer 32

Favored by interpretivists; rejected by positivists due to bias and subjectivity.

Question 33

Define opportunity sampling

Answer 33

Participants selected because they are easily available.

Question 34

Practicality of opportunity sampling

Answer 34

Very high. Quick, cheap, easy to implement.

Question 35

Ethical of opportunity sampling

Answer 35

Generally acceptable if voluntary participation.

Question 36

Reliable of opportunity sampling

Answer 36

Low. Sample may not reflect the population if repeated elsewhere.

Question 37

Validity of opportunity sampling

Answer 37

Moderate. Captures immediate responses, but limited depth.

Question 38

Example of opportunity sampling

Answer 38

Asking students in your class to complete a survey.

Question 39

Representativeness of opportunity sampling

Answer 39

Low. Only those available are included → biased sample.

Question 40

How do theorists feel on opportunity sampling

Answer 40

Favoured for exploratory research by interpretivists; rejected by positivists for bias.