Sampling methods

Sampling methods

1. Stratified sampling

   • Involves picking people from different groups within the population
   • This sample will be representitive and give the viewpoint of all different groups in the population.
   • Time consuming

2. Random sampling

   • Picking names from a hat
   • No bias in who is selected and everyone stands an equal chance of being selected and its quick and easy to use
   • The sample might be all the same sort of people eg all male so will not be representive of the whole population

3. Quota

   • Quick and easy way to select the right people for the research
   • Samples are likely to be biased as reseacher is choosing participant
   • Researcher picks participants until they have the number of people needed.

4. Systematic

   • Researcher uses a system to pick participants
   • Participants will be a cross section so hopefully will be representitve.
   • Only the people on the register stand a chance of selection

5. Snowball

   • Researcher selects one person then asks them to put them in touch with other people
   • Useful for hard to contact groups
   • Very time consuming so only small samples are used and results are not generalisable.