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Part 2 Types of Sampling

The document outlines various probability and non-probability sampling methods used in research. Probability sampling ensures every member of the population has a chance of being selected, with techniques like simple random, systematic, stratified, and cluster sampling. Non-probability sampling methods, such as convenience, voluntary response, purposive, and snowball sampling, involve selection based on non-random criteria and may not produce representative results.

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7 views11 pages

Part 2 Types of Sampling

The document outlines various probability and non-probability sampling methods used in research. Probability sampling ensures every member of the population has a chance of being selected, with techniques like simple random, systematic, stratified, and cluster sampling. Non-probability sampling methods, such as convenience, voluntary response, purposive, and snowball sampling, involve selection based on non-random criteria and may not produce representative results.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Probability sampling methods

Probability sampling means that every member of the


population has a chance of being selected. It is mainly
used in quantitative research. If you want to produce
results that are representative of the whole population,
probability sampling techniques are the most valid
choice.
Simple random sampling

In a simple random sample, every member of the


population has an equal chance of being selected. Your
sampling frame should include the whole population.
• Example: Simple random sampling You want to select a simple
random sample of 100 employees of Company X. You assign a number
to every employee in the company database from 1 to 1000 and use a
random number generator to select 100 numbers.
Systematic sampling
Systematic sampling is similar to simple random
sampling, but it is usually slightly easier to conduct.
Every member of the population is listed with a number,
but instead of randomly generating numbers, individuals
are chosen at regular intervals.
• All employees of the company are listed in alphabetical
order. From the first 10 numbers, you randomly select a
starting point: number 6. From number 6 onwards,
every 10th person on the list is selected (6, 16, 26, 36,
and so on), and you end up with a sample of 100
people.
Stratified sampling

• Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into


subpopulations that may differ in important ways. It allows
you draw more precise conclusions by ensuring that every
subgroup is properly represented in the sample.
To use this sampling method, you divide the population into
subgroups (called strata) based on the relevant characteristic
(e.g. gender, age range, income bracket, job role).
• Example: The company has 800 female employees and 200
male employees. You want to ensure that the sample reflects
the gender balance of the company, so you sort the
population into two strata based on gender. Then you use
random sampling on each group, selecting 80 women and 20
men, which gives you a representative sample of 100 people.
Cluster sampling

Cluster sampling also involves dividing the population


into subgroups, but each subgroup should have similar
characteristics to the whole sample. Instead of sampling
individuals from each subgroup, you randomly select
entire subgroups

Example: The company has offices in 10 cities across the


country (all with roughly the same number of employees
in similar roles). You don’t have the capacity to travel to
every office to collect your data, so you use random
sampling to select 3 offices – these are your clusters.
Non-probability sampling methods

In a non-probability sample, individuals are selected


based on non-random criteria, and not every individual
has a chance of being included.
Convenience sampling

• A convenience sample simply includes the individuals


who happen to be most accessible to the researcher.
This is an easy and inexpensive way to gather initial
data, but there is no way to tell if the sample is
representative of the population, so it can’t produce
generalizable results.
Example: You are researching opinions about student
support services in your university, so after each of your
classes, you ask your fellow students to complete a
survey on the topic.
Voluntary response sampling

Similar to a convenience sample, a voluntary response


sample is mainly based on ease of access. Instead of the
researcher choosing participants and directly contacting
them, people volunteer themselves (e.g. by responding
to a public online survey). Voluntary response samples
are always at least somewhat biased, as some people will
inherently be more likely to volunteer than others.
Purposive sampling

This type of sampling, also known as judgement


sampling, involves the researcher using their expertise to
select a sample that is most useful to the purposes of the
research. It is often used in qualitative research, where
the researcher wants to gain detailed knowledge about a
specific phenomenon rather than make statistical
inferences, or where the population is very small and
specific.
Example: You want to know more about the opinions and
experiences of disabled students at your university, so
you purposefully select a number of students with
different support needs in order to gather a varied range
of data on their experiences with student services.
Snowball sampling

If the population is hard to access, snowball sampling can


be used to recruit participants via other participants. The
number of people you have access to “snowballs” as you
get in contact with more people.
• Example: You are researching experiences of homelessness in your
city. Since there is no list of all homeless people in the city, probability
sampling isn’t possible. You meet one person who agrees to
participate in the research, and she puts you in contact with other
homeless people that she knows in the area.

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