Sampling

• Sampling 


  The methodological process of selecting participants that meet the characteristics of the target population, to ensure representativeness which allows the researcher to make generalisations to wider society.
• Access and gatekeeping


  Certain groups can resist sociologists' attention, particularly powerful individuals who use authority to deny access. This creates an imbalance where research about the powerless is over-populated, and research about the elite is off-limits.
• Sampling Frame 


  A list of the target population/possible respondents. Not always available.
• Systematic sampling 



  Selects respondents systematically from a sampling frame (like every 5th person)

  • Avoids researcher bias.
  • Quick and easy
  • Not always representative - all the target population is not always present in the sample.
  • There may be no sampling frame available
• Random Sampling


  Respondents are selected randomly from a sampling frame.

  • Equal chances for everyone
  • Quick and easy
  • Potential for unconscious bias in the name selection process
  • More likely to be unrepresentative due to being random.
• Stratified Random sampling


  Divides the target population into characteristic groups, then treats each like a random sample.

  • Ensures representative samples
  • Avoids bias as it's random
  • Sampling frame may not exist
  • Time-consuming to organize.
• Stratified Quota sampling 


  Researcher decides on the number of individuals in each category and then actively seeks them out until the quota is met.

  • Representative of various groups
  • Large bias as the researcher must subjectively decide who meets the criteria
  • Limited to face-to-face interactions - less likely to represent different locations.
• Opportunity/Purposive sampling



  Guided by necessity, researchers have to settle for the best sample they can get due to circumstance.

  • May not be representative of the target population.
• Snowball sampling



  Starts with one participant and gradually expands over time as each person suggests another potential participant.

  • Only option when respondent lists are unavailable.
  • Unlikely to be representative - limited locations and no control over the sample's social characteristics.
• Volunteer sampling
 


  The researcher advertises and respondents volunteer if they meet the criteria.

  • Only way to access those not on registers
  • Bias as only a specific type may apply - unrepresentative of the entire target population.
• Gatekeepers



  Exclusive or deviant groups may be inaccessible due to ethical and safety considerations so a gatekeeper is used to establish trust and facilitate access.

  • Negotiate with the group of interest and foster cooperation.
  • Suitable ones are hard to find.