Sample And Sampling Flashcards
Definition of sampling ?
The process of selecting participants from the population
Definition of the Target population ?
The entire group a researcher is interested in.
Definition of sampling frame ?
A list of all those within the target population who can be practically sampled.
Definition of random sampling ?
Every member of the target population as an equal chance of being selected.
Advantage of random sampling ?
The method is unbiased as the researcher is not choosing who will take part
Disadvantage of random sampling ?
Sample may be in representative lowering external validity E.G. everyone picked out from the hat may be the same gender.
Definition of self selected sampling ?
Participants themselves come forward to take part in the study after seeing adverts put out by the researcher.
Advantage of self selected sampling ?
P’s less likely to withdraw
Cost effective for researcher
Disadvantage of self selected sampling ?
Sample is unrepresentative E.G. all those who volunteer may be unemployed or individuals who like helping others.
Definition of opportunity sampling ?
Selecting people who are available at the time of study
Advantage of opportunity sampling ?
Less time consuming
Cost effective
Disadvantage of opportunity sampling ?
Sample is only taken from a small section of the target population so is likely to be unrepresentative E.G. If a sample is take from a local primary school it may not include ethnicities.
Definition of snowball sampling ?
A small number of Participants are recruited by the researcher then the participants recruit further participants from amping people they know
Advantage of snowball sampling ?
Allows researcher to study hard to access groups such as drug addicts or the homeless
Disadvantage of snowball sampling ?
Unlikely to be representative of the overall population as only friends and family are accessed.
