External Validity And Sampling: RM

Question 1

Define Sampling.

Answer 1

A group of people who take part in a research investigation

Question 2

How do you conduct Random Sampling?

Answer 2

1. Make a list of the target population.
2. Give all names a number and write these down.
3. Put pieces in a hat
4. Draw the pieces of paper from a hat randomly.

Question 3

How do you conduct Systematic sampling?

Answer 3

1. Create a list of the target population.
2. Create a sampling frame by putting the list into a specific order (i.e. alphabetical)
3. Create a sampling system (i.e. pick every 5th name)
4. Use the sampling system.

Question 4

How do you conduct Stratified Sampling?

Answer 4

1. Make a list of the target population
2. Create a list of specific people (groups) for the target population.
3. Workout the proportions of specific groups (strata).
4. Use random sampling to select the right amount of participants from each strata of target population.

Question 5

How do you conduct Opportunity Sampling?

Answer 5

Researcher simply asks if any members of the target population to participate.

Question 6

How do you conduct Volunteer Sampling?

Answer 6

1. Place an advert where members of the target population will see it.
2. People self select/ volunteer.

Question 7

Define Bias.

Answer 7

This occurs when certain groups are either over-representative or under-representative within a sample.

Question 8

Define Generalisable.

Answer 8

When findings and conclusions from an investigation can be applied to the target population.

Question 9

Define Representative.

Answer 9

When a sample reflects the characteristics of the target population.

Question 10

Define Sampling Technique.

Answer 10

A method used for creating a sample from a population.

Question 11

Define Population Validity.

Answer 11

A type of external validity which describes how well the sample can be used to represent a target population.

Question 12

Define External Validity.

Answer 12

A type of validity which is concerned with the extent to which research findings can be generalised outside the context of the study.

Question 13

What is one strength of random sampling?

Answer 13

It’s representative because the sampling is random, therefore the researcher removes their own influence from who is sampled. Random sampling is representative as it limits bias in the sampling.

Question 14

What is one limitation of Random Sampling?

Answer 14

The cost in time and money it takes to put together a list of target population.

Question 15

What is one strength of Systematic Sampling?

Answer 15

It is representative and helps ensure there is very limited influence on who is in the sample. Reducing the likelihood of bias, making it more representative.

Question 16

What is one limitation of Systematic Sampling?

Answer 16

It is time consuming and expensive as the process of making a systematic frame and using the sampling frame in comparison to opportunity or volunteer.

Question 17

What is one limitation of Stratified Sampling?

Answer 17

It is time consuming and expensive, as the process of finding relevant data, working out their proportions in the target population and then going through the process of random selection. This could cause a higher demand for pay from the researcher as it takes longer time to research.

Question 18

What is one strength of Volunteer Sampling?

Answer 18

It is relatively efficient in terms of financial cost and time as it requires minimal effort from the researcher compared to other sampling techniques. This results in less demand for pay from the researcher.

Question 19

What is one limitation of Volunteer Sampling?

Answer 19

It could lead to an unrepresentative sample as the volunteer is bias. This is due to the fact that people that are likely to volunteer are different types of people to those who wont volunteer. This may result in an overall different type of target population.

Question 20

What is one strength of Opportunity Sampling?

Answer 20

It is efficient in terms of time and financial costs. This is probably the least time consuming and money demanding as all the researcher has to do is ask for volunteers.

Question 21

What is one limitation of Opportunity Sampling?

Answer 21

It c an lead to unrepresentative sampling as the researcher may pick a certain group of people as they are (eg) approachable. This limits the representation for the overall target population.

Question 22

What is one strength of stratified sampling ?

Answer 22

It ensures that the results of the experiment are likely to be proportionally similar to the target population. Thus, the sample is representative of the population.