Sampling

• What term describes the group of people a researcher is interested in studying?

  The target population
• What is the sampling frame?

  The group the sample is drawn from
• What term describes the people who participate in the research?

  The sample
• What does representativeness refer to in sampling?

  How closely the sample mirrors the target population
• What does population validity mean?

  The sample represents the target population
• What is generalisation in the context of research?

  Applying findings to the target population
• What defines random sampling?

  Equal chance of selection for each member
• To perform random sampling, what are two methods one could use?

  Drawing names or using random number tables
• How does snowball sampling work?

  Referrals from initial participants generate more participants
• How is snowball sampling typically initiated?

  By inviting someone from the target population
• What is opportunity sampling?

  Selecting easily available participants
• How might one conduct an opportunity sample?

  Using students available during a lesson
• What characterizes stratified sampling?

  Identifying subgroups and sampling randomly from them
• If a sample should consist of 15% A2 males, 25% A2 females, 35% AS males, and 25% AS females, how would you get a stratified sample of 100 people?

  Random sampling from each subgroup
• How is systematic sampling defined?

  Selecting every nth person
• What method is used to start a systematic sample?

  Use a random number to select the first
• How are participants obtained in self-selected sampling?

  Solely through volunteers
• Where might one advertise for a self-selected sample?

  Where the target population is likely to see
• What is an advantage of opportunity sampling?

  Quick, convenient, and economical
• What is a key disadvantage of opportunity sampling?

  Very unrepresentative and often biased
• Why might opportunity sampling be biased?

  Researchers choose 'helpful' people and sample subgroup
• What is a primary advantage of self-selected sampling?

  Relatively convenient and ethical
• Why is informed consent more likely in self-selected samples?

  Participants have chosen to take part
• What is one potential disadvantage of self-selected sampling?

  Unrepresentative and leads to bias
• How can self-selected samples be biased?

  Participants are highly motivated and guess the aims
• What is a major advantage of random sampling with very large samples?

  Best chance of unbiased representative sample
• Why does random sampling provide the best chance of an unbiased representative sample?

  All members have an equal chance of selection
• What is a key disadvantage of random sampling for large populations?

  Time-consuming to create a list
• Why could a small random sample still be biased?

  It may not represent all subgroups
• What practical issue can arise after individuals are randomly selected?

  They may not want to participate
• What is a primary advantage of systematic sampling?

  Unbiased and objective way of obtaining sample
• How does systematic sampling lead to a non-biased sample?

  It is an unbiased and objective method
• What is a key advantage of systematic sampling compared to random sampling?

  Less time consuming to achieve an unbiased sample
• What is a potential disadvantage of systematic sampling if the sample size is too small?

  May not represent all subgroups
• What issue can occur after selecting individuals for systematic sampling?

  They may not want to take part
• What type of populations is snowball sampling useful for reaching?

  Hard to reach target populations
• When might snowball sampling be beneficial?

  Studying drug addicts or criminals
• What is a key disadvantage of snowball sampling regarding representativeness?

  Representativeness is not guaranteed
• Why is bias likely in snowball sampling?

  Current participants select other members
• In snowball sampling, who has a strong impact on the sample?

  The initial participants