A sample of participants produced by selecting people who are most easily available at the time of the study.
Random sample
A sample of participants produced by using a random technique so that every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected
Sampling
The method used to select participants for a study. Sampling also refers to the method of recording behaviours in an observation such as event or time sampling. (See also sampling of participants).
Stratified sample
A sample of participants produced by identifying subgroups and selecting participants randomly from these subgroups, in the same proportion as their occurrence in the population.
Systematic sample
A sample obtained by selecting every nth person (where n is a number).
Volunteer sample
A sample of participants that relies on self-selected volunteers.
