sampling

Question 1

how to conduct random sampling

Answer 1

1. needs full list target population
2. all names entered into container or computer database
3. number of names equal to sample pulled out container or generated randomly
4. Names make up sample

Question 2

random sample strength

Answer 2

-random sample avoid researcher bias, cannot chose participants they want

Question 3

random sample limitations

Answer 3

-by chance, sample could be unrepresentative e.g too few memebership one gender or minority group
-can be difficult, time consuming to get full list target population

Question 4

systematic sampling

Answer 4

-participants chosen at set interval frim target population, every Nth chosen

Question 5

how to conduct systematic sampling

Answer 5

1. Researcher need full list target population
2. Researcher read down list, selecting every Nth participant from sample
3. Process continues until sample required chosen

Question 6

systematic sampling strengths

Answer 6

-avoid researcher bias as can’t chose participants they want
-if there is existing list of target population (e.g student register at school), csn be quick method

Question 7

systematic sampling limitations

Answer 7

-by chance, sample could be unrepresentative e.g too few members minority group or gender
-if target population very large, getting full list difficult

Question 8

how to conduct opportunity sampling

Answer 8

1. Researcher directly asks memebers within target population to take part in research
2. any individuals who agree take part added to sample until number participants required met

Question 9

opportunity sampling strength

Answer 9

-fastest way to get sample, reduces cost compared to more complex sampling

Question 10

opportunity sampling limitations

Answer 10

-as researcher decides who to approach and ask, could result in researcher bias, may select participants they feel likely produce preferred result
-unlikely be representative as participants chosen type of people researcher has easy access too e.g in universities young undergraduate students

Question 11

how to conduct volunteer sampling

Answer 11

1. advertisements placed where likely to be seen by members target population
2. advert include contact details and researcher enrol volunteer into sample

Question 12

volunteer sampling strengths

Answer 12

-advertising can reach very large number potential participants especially wide read newspapers
-easy to collect as participants put themselves forward rather than researcher having to find them individually

Question 13

volunteer sampling limitation

Answer 13

-sample may not be generalisable to target population due to volunteer bias, types of people who volunteer likely have different characteristics to target population, more friendly and more free time

Question 14

how to conduct stratified sampling

Answer 14

1. subgroups identified along with their proportion in target population
2. random sampling used to select number participants required from each stratum

Question 15

stratified sampling strengths

Answer 15

-sample representative of larger target population so results found generalisable
-as participants randomly chosen from each stratum, avoids researcher bias

Question 16

stratified sampling limitations

Answer 16

-not every possible characteristic csn be in lured in stratified sample, researcher decides which strata important, may result in bias
-time consuming to establish strata and randomly select from each stratum