Sampling

Question 1

Opportunity sampling- definition

Answer 1

A sample that consists of ppts:
- In close proximity to the researcher
- Willing to take part
- Simply available

Question 2

Opportunity sample- strengths

Answer 2

Easy, quick, inexpensive to carry out thus a large sample can be accessed.

Question 3

Opportunity sample- weaknesses

Answer 3

The consequent sample may be:
-Unrepresentative
- Subject to sampling bias as the variety of people available is likely to be limited.

Question 4

Volunteer sample- definition

Answer 4

Sample consists of people who have self selected to be part of the study.

(Email, ads, notices)

Question 5

Volunteer sample- strengths

Answer 5

• Achieves large sample as it can reach a wide audience.
• Volunteers are likely to be committed and cooperative. (return for repeat testing).
• Useful to use when seeking out a specific population.

Question 6

Volunteer sample- weaknesses

Answer 6

May attract a certain profile of respondents (cooperative, helping behaviour, free time) thus the sample may be biased and thus unrepresentative.

Question 7

Random sample- definition

Answer 7

A sampling method in which every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected

Question 8

Random sample- strength

Answer 8

Since every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, bias is removed and the consequent sample will be representative.

Question 9

Random sample- weakness

Answer 9

Impossible- as a complete list of the population may not be available, or accessible

Minority subgroups- within the population may not be present in the sample.

Impractical- the sample may be too large to use a random technique. (Impossible, biased, impractical)

Question 10

Population

Answer 10

A group of individuals who share certain characteristics or traits.

Question 11

Sample

Answer 11

The selected group of people that will represent the population in a study.

Question 12

Sampling technique

Answer 12

The method used to obtain the sample

Question 13

Sampling bias

Answer 13

Occurs when some members of the population are systematically more /less likely to be selected in a sample than others

Question 14

Representativeness

Answer 14

The degree to which a sample reflects the diverse characteristics of the population that is being studied.

(Large sample- more reliable/representative)

Question 15

Stratified sampling

Answer 15

The researcher divides (stratifies) the target group into sections. Each representing a key group (or characteristic) that should be present in the final sample

Question 16

Systematic sample

Answer 16

(A probability sampling method where) the researcher selects members of the population at a regular interval