2RM sampling

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what is a sample?
a group of people selected from the population of the people who are being researched
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what is a sample frame?
lists/databases where people who are suitable to participate in the research can be found and are selected from
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what are some examples of sample frames?
telephone books, electoral register, school registers
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what is a sample unit?
individuals selected from the sample frame to take part in the research
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what is a random sample?
where individuals are randomly selected from a sample frame e.g drawing names out a hat
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what are the strengths of a random sample?
quick and easy to select people, equal chance of people being chosen, prevents selection bias, cheap
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what are the weaknesses of a random sample?
may be unrepresentitive, those selected may refuse to participate, sample frame might not be available
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what is a systematic sample?
a patterned selection method where every nth person is chosen from the sample frame to participate in the research
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what are the strengths of a systematic sample?
prevents selection bias, researchers have a sense of control, easy to carry out
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what are the weaknesses of a systematic sample?
sample frame may not be representitive, chance of researcher manipulating the selected sample, if participants refuse to take part it breaks the pattern, may be unrepresentitive by chance, sample frame might not be available
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what is a stratified sample?
where the researcher finds a number of sampling frames and selects the amount of each characteristic from the population
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what are the strengths of a stratified sample?
representitive of all characteristics of the population, cheap because sample is small
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what are the weaknesses of a stratified sample?
time consuming to include the right amount of each characteristic, complicated if the population has people of many different characteristics, may not be able to find people of certain characteristics, participants may refuse
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what is a quota sample?
where the researcher has been told to question a certain number of people with a certain characteristic and they stop the people in the street who they think look like those needed to be questioned
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what are the strengths of quota samples?
quick, cost effective, allows you to access the group you want to research
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what are the weaknesses of a quota sample?
you may not be able to find the people in the street, assumes that people are part of a group based on their appearances, people may refuse, selection bias
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what is a snowball sample?
when the researcher cannot access a sample frame so the researcher asks one person with the characteristic they want to research to recruit other people to take part
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what are the strengths of a snowball sample?
allows the researcher to access difficult groups, allows the researcher to research things in society which are ignored, low cost, less control meaning less bias
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what are the weaknesses of a snowball sample?
participants may refuse, little control over sample, may not be able to recruit many people, those recruiting other participants could manipulate the research
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what is a volunteer sample?
where researchers obtain their sample by advertising for people to take part in the research
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what are the strengths of volunteer samples?
participants choose to take part and are willing, likely to get detailed answers, easy access to group, no selection bias, dont need to have access to a sample frame
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what are the weaknesses of volunteer samples?
might be difficult to find people who want to take part, time consuming to advertise, certain topics may be difficult to advertise, could get biased answers, advertising may be expensive
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what is an opportunity sample?
researchers ask people questions on the spot often with their friends, family or students
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what are the strengths of an opportunity sample?
100% response rate, valid responses as people are more likely to tell the truth, quick as it doesnt require planning, cheap
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what are the weaknesses of an opportunity sample?
not planned or organised meaning there could be mistakes, unrepresentitive, difficult to spontaneously ask people sensitive questions, can be time consuming, unethical by not asking people for consent
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

what is a sample frame?

Back

lists/databases where people who are suitable to participate in the research can be found and are selected from

Card 3

Front

what are some examples of sample frames?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

what is a sample unit?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

what is a random sample?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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