Sampling Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is the target population in research?
A broader group that the researcher is interested in
The target population encompasses all individuals that the research aims to draw conclusions about.
Who are considered participants in a study?
People who take part in a study
Participants are the individuals whose data or responses are collected during the research.
Define sample in the context of research.
The group of participants selected for the study
The sample is a subset of the target population that is used to make inferences about the larger group.
What is the goal of research regarding sample representation?
To have a representative sample
A representative sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the target population.
Why is sample size important in research?
It should be considered when evaluating its representativeness
A larger sample size can lead to more reliable and valid results.
What is opportunity sampling?
Participants are selected based on naturally occurring groups
This method relies on the availability of participants at the time of the study.
Describe self-selected/volunteer sampling.
Participants volunteer, usually in response to an advertisement
This type of sampling often occurs in local communities or online.
What is snowball sampling?
Participants recruit other participants for a study
This method is useful when the target population is hard to access.
Define purposive sampling.
Participants are selected according to predetermined criteria relevant to a particular research question
For example, criteria may include specific demographics like gender.
What is random sampling?
Each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected
This can be achieved using a random number generator or similar methods.
Explain stratified sampling.
Drawing random samples from each subpopulation within the target population
This approach ensures that all segments of the population are represented.
What is sampling bias?
The sample does not accurately represent the characteristics of the population
This can lead to skewed results and affect the validity of the study.
What are participant variables?
Characteristics of participants that may influence the outcome of the study
These variables can include age, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.
