Sampling

• What are the Strengths of Opportunity Sample?

  • convenient
  • less costly in time and money
• What are the Weaknesses of Opportunity Sample?

  • unrepresentative of target population therefore results cannot be generalised
  • researcher bias - researcher may avoid people they don't like the look of
• What are the Strengths of Random Sample?

  • unbiased
  • confounding/extraneous variables are spilt across both groups.
  • higher internal validity
• What are the Weaknesses of Random Sample?

  • time consuming
  • may be unrepresentative
  • selected participants may refuse to take part making it more of a volunteer sample.
• What are the Strengths of Volunteer Sample (self-selected)?

  • less time consuming
  • minimal effort from researcher
  • participants are engaged
• What are the Weaknesses of Volunteer Sample (self-selected)?

  • volunteer bias
  • unrepresentative of target population therefore results cannot be generalised
• What are the Strengths of Systematic Sampling?

  • objective - the researcher has no influence over who is chosen
• What are the Weaknesses of Systematic Sampling?

  • time consuming
  • selected participants may refuse to take part making it more of a volunteer sample
• What are the Strengths of Stratified Sampling?

  • the most representative of the target population
• What are the Weaknesses of Stratified Sampling?

  • cannot reflect every way that people are different therefore complete representation of the target population is not possible