Research Methods - Sampling Flashcards
(20 cards)
population
the group of people or instances the research is about E.G. if the study is about teachers, the population would include ALL teachers
sample
a small group selected from the population which used to represent a larger group - this generalised
random sampling
any person can be selected - must use method of random selection E.G. names selected from a hat
- when using RS in an answer mention collecting a list of the whole population first
strengths of RS
no bias
representative
limitations of RS
relies on chance/luck
time consuming
systematic sampling
every nth member of the population selected
doesn’t give an equal chance of selection
strengths of SS
no bias
limitations of SS
time consuming
no equal chance
stratified sampling
the population is divided into subgroup (strata) then random sampling is used for each group proportionally
strengths of StS
representative
limitations of StS
time consuming
strata cannot show ALL the ways Ps are different
opportuninity sampling
participants who are both accessible and willing to take part
-must mention it invloves going out and asking Ps to take part
strengths of OS
quick
limitations of OS
bias - you choose which people you want to be Ps
volunteer sampling
people ‘self-select’ to be a P usually via respodning to an advert
strengths of VS
minimal input from researcher
less chance of attrition (leaving)
limitations of VS
bias - certain types of people volunteer
sampling technique
methods used to select participants from a population to take part in research
bias
when certain groups are over or under represented in the sample selected
generalisability
the extent that the findings can be generalised to the WHOLE population
-if bias is present it CANNOT be generalised
