Participants

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

• psychologists need to make sure that when they select their sample, it is representative of the sub-groups found in the target population
• if the sample is representative, then the results of the research can be generalised to the target population
• if not then the results of the research can be considered as unrepresentative and invalid

Question 2

Random sampling

Answer 2

• pts are selected from a sampling frame and everyone has an equal chance of being selected
  -e.g names are pulled out of a hat

Question 3

Strength of random sampling

Answer 3

• it is a fair method
• there is no chance of bias

Question 4

Weakness of random sampling

Answer 4

• could still end up with a biased sample because the selection was due to chance there may be certain subgroups of the target population that are over or under represented in the sample
• Time consuming because you need to contact the selected list of pts for permission which can take a while

Question 5

Opportunity sampling

Answer 5

-pts are selected at the researchers convenience without knowing any details about the sample
- e.g picking people who were around at the time, in your specific location

Question 6

Strength of opportunity sampling

Answer 6

• it’s easier for the researcher to administer in comparison to other snapping techniques which may be more costly in time and resources

Question 7

Weakness of opportunity sampling

Answer 7

• you may end up with a biased sample because the selection was whomever was earlier to access at the time and you tend to be in a location where people around are people you share attributes with

Question 8

Weakness of opportunity sampling - unethical

Answer 8

• it isn’t ethical to ask pts to be in your research
• e.g some pts may feel obliged to take part in the research

Question 9

Systematic sampling

Answer 9

• the nth person on a list is selected by the researcher
• e.g every 3rd house on the street, or every 5th person resister

Question 10

Strength of systematic sampling

Answer 10

• as long as the first pts is selected randomly, then the researcher cannot be accused of being biased in their selection of pts

Question 11

Weakness of systematic sampling

Answer 11

• potentiality of a biased sample because the selection has an element of chance; there is no guarantee that certain subgroups of target population are not over or underrepresented

Question 12

Stratified sampling

Answer 12

• the target group is divided into subgroups
• e.g by sex and then the participants are selected randomly from each subgroup

Question 13

A strength of stratified sampling

Answer 13

• likely to be more representative than other methods because there is a proportional representation of subgroups

Question 14

A weakness of stratified sampling

Answer 14

• it’s very time consuming to identify subgroups and then select participants and contact them
• pts opportunistically selected from each sub group may not be representative

Question 15

Snowball

Question 16

Sampling frame

Answer 16

• the source material from which a sample is drawn