Sampling techniques

Question 1

RANDOM SAMPLING

Answer 1

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

Question 2

STRENGTHS OF RANDOM SAMPLING

Answer 2

It is unlikely that the samp,e will be biased as the sampler has no control over who is in the sample
All members of the target population have an equal chance of being chosen

Question 3

WEAKNESSES OF RANDOM SAMPLING

Answer 3

It can take a long time, especially if the target population is large

Question 4

OPPORTUNITY SAMPLE

Answer 4

The researcher just uses a group of participants that are readily available

Question 5

STRENGTHS OF OPPORTUNITY SAMPLE

Answer 5

• The Mose convenient technique as it takes little preparation. You just use the first participants you can find. -So it takes less time to locate your sample than other techniques
  It may be the only technique available because the whole target population cannot be listed

Question 6

WEAKNESSES OF OPPORTUNITY SAMPLE

Answer 6

• it is inevitably biased because the sample is drawn from a special part of the target population which have unique characteristics and is not likely to be representative e.g shoppers at a mall ( likely to be unemployed)
  -Participants may refuse to take part so the final sample also has the weakness of a volunteer sample e.g demand characteristics

Question 7

SELF SELECT/ VOLUNTEER SAMPLING

Answer 7

Created when people respond to an advert for participants. They volunteer themselves for the research

Question 8

STRENGTHS OF VOLUNTEER SAMPLE

Answer 8

• A convenient way to find willing participants
  -participants less likely to drop out
  -may be a good way to get a specialised group of participants- purposive sampling

Question 9

WEAKNESS OF VOLUNTEER SAMPLE

Answer 9

(Volunteer bias)
Sample is biased because volunteers are likely to be more highly motivated & have extra time on their hands than the general population
- Volunteers may be more willing to be helpful and this may lead to to guessing the aims of the study and responding to demand characteristics

Question 10

STRATIFIED SAMPLING

Answer 10

Proportional representation.
It reflects the target population by having the same proportions of key characteristics
E.g same % of male / female

Question 11

STRENGTHS OF STRATIFIED SAMPLE

Answer 11

It can be very representative of the population

Question 12

WEAKNESS OF STRATIFIED SAMPLE

Answer 12

It can be very time consuming to do and it also can be very difficult
Decision about which subgroups are used may be biased thus reducing the representation of the sample