sampling methods

Question 1

sample

Answer 1

the group of people who are selected from a population to take part in an investigation

Question 2

aim of sampling

Answer 2

to ensure that the sample is representative of the target population so that results can be generalised to all of them

Question 3

sampling method

Answer 3

the process of selecting participants to take part in studies

Question 4

target population

Answer 4

• the group of people from whom the sample is taken
• in some cases, the largest group to which results can be generalised

Question 5

generalisability

Answer 5

to be able to accurate take a research finding and apply it to a larger population

Question 6

population validity

Answer 6

the extent to which the results can be generalised to groups of people other than the sample of Ps used

Question 7

random sampling

Answer 7

• every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate in the research
• this involves identifying everyone in the target population and then selecting the number of Ps you need in a way that gives everyone an equal chance of being picked, such as names into a hat, using a random name generator

Question 8

strengths of random sampling

Answer 8

• it provides an unbiased and fairly representative sample of the target population
• the sample is less likely to include outliers

Question 9

weaknesses of random sampling

Answer 9

• it can be very time consuming and labour-intensive
• itt is impossible to carry out if you do not have the names of all the people in your target population (e.g. people with depression - there are so many that it would be prohibitive to use this method)

Question 10

opportunity sampling

Answer 10

taking a sample of people who are available at the time that the study is being carried out and fit the criteria of the research

Question 11

strengths of opportunity sampling

Answer 11

• it is the most practical method in terms of time, effort and therefore money
• this will allow for a larger number of Ps to be studied, which will increase the population validity of the study

Question 12

weaknesses of opportunity sampling

Answer 12

• it can be biased
• it is easy for the researcher to select people from their own social/cultural groups, or for specific times of people to be available at the right time and place
• so the sample would not be representative the whole target population, as the sample may be skewed

Question 13

volunteer sampling

Answer 13

Ps become a part of the study because they volunteer when asked, or they respond to an advert

Question 14

strengths of volunteer sampling

Answer 14

• it can be fairly quick and easy in comparison to random sampling
• it allows for a wide variety of Ps to be reached, making the sample more likely to be representative of the target population, so generalizable and having greater population validity

Question 15

weaknesses of volunteer sampling

Answer 15

• the type of Ps that put themselves forward may be more motivated to be involved in the research than those who do not volunteer, so the sample might not be representative of the general population
• there may be a greater number of outliers and social desirability biases shown