Social psychology

Question 1

What is random sampling?

Answer 1

everybody in your target population has an equal chance of being chosen, random number generator

Question 2

What is a positive of random sampling?

Answer 2

The researcher has no choice over who is chosen, as everyone in the target is randomly elected and has a an equal chance of being chosen. Therefore, is likely to be representative so can be generalised to the target population

Question 3

What are the negatives of random sampling?

Answer 3

• Unrepresentative sample
• Time consuming

Question 4

Explain how random sampling can produce an unrepresentative sample?

Answer 4

Cannot be certain the sample is representative. It is difficult to ensure everyone in the target population is included in the sample, may randomly select all males in the target population. Therefore sample is unrepresentative and lacks population validity

Question 5

Explain how random sampling is time consuming?

Answer 5

It can take a long time to create a sample, as you need to get a list of everyone in the target population so small minority groups may not be included. Therefore, this is not a practical sampling method and may not be representative so we cannot generalise findings

Question 6

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 6

Selecting participants that are easily available to you

Question 7

What are positives of opportunity sampling?

Answer 7

• quick and easy method
• ethical

Question 8

Explain how opportunity sample is a quick and easy method?

Answer 8

Allows large number of participants to be recruited easily and quickly. Therefore this is a more practical method to use compared to other methods

Question 9

Explain how opportunity sampling is ethical?

Answer 9

The researcher can judge if the potential participant looks too busy to take part in research. Therefore, the needs of the potential participant are being considered and research is not being thrust upon them

Question 10

What is a negative of opportunity sampling?

Answer 10

Biased sampling - the researcher can pick who they want to take part in the research so may be bias in who they choose and may only include people who were around at the time so may share similar qualities. Therefore, the sample is unrepresentative and cannot be generalised to the target population

Question 11

What is a volunteer sample?

Answer 11

You will place an advert and participants will self select by responding to the advert

Question 12

What are positives of volunteer sample?

Answer 12

• practical
• ethical

Question 13

Explain how volunteer sampling is practical?

Answer 13

Good to use when the target population is hard to find, the participants go to the researcher instead of researcher seeking the participants. Therefore, this is a practical method to use