Cards (11)

  • 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.