Sampling Methods

• Random


  Equal chances of being selected e.g. names out a hat:

  + Reduces researcher bias

  - May not be fully representative
• Opportunity


  Selecting people available at the time e.g. who is present in town:

  + Easy to collect

  - Researcher bias

  - May not be representative (too similar)
• Volunteer


  Participants self select to take part e.g. respond to advert:

  + Easy to conduct

  + Reduces researcher bias

  - May not be representative
• Stratified


  Selecting participants from sub groups proportionate to the population:

  + Likely to be most representative

  - Time consuming