Psychology: Types of Samples

Study Notes

Self-Selected Sampling

Known as volunteer sampling.
Participants sign up voluntarily, often motivated, leading to lower dropout rates.
Potential issue: may not be representative of the target population.

Non-Random Sampling

Also referred to as haphazard sampling.
Lacks a systematic approach to participant selection.
Example: Interviewing individuals outside a grocery store may not accurately represent wider demographics.

Opportunity Sampling

Also called convenience sampling.
Involves using readily available participants, such as a specific classroom.
Generally homogeneous groups, lacking representation of the entire target population.
Can be representative in specific contexts, such as studying grade 9 students only.

Random Sampling

Ensures every individual in the target population has an equal chance of selection.
Considered an ideal sampling method, but impractical for large or heterogeneous populations.
Examples include drawing names from a hat or using random number generators.
Distinction between random sampling and random allocation; allocation pertains to how participants are assigned to groups.

Stratified Sampling

Aims for a sample that reflects various sub-groups within the target population.
Requires careful division; for example, in a school with 50% native English speakers, the sample should reflect those proportions.
Ideally involves random selection from each identified subgroup (stratum).
Risks include misrepresentation if group labels are not appropriately defined.

Purposive Sampling

Targets specific traits in participants, such as demographics or experiences.
Often conducted through self-selected methods, gathering those who meet specific criteria.

Network Sampling

Also known as snowball sampling; a type of purposive sampling.
Useful for accessing hard-to-reach populations, like former addicts or victims of domestic violence.
Relies on referrals from participants to find others fitting the criteria, building trust and efficiency in recruitment.

Crowd-Sourcing

Utilizes technology to gather diverse samples.
Engages participants through platforms like "Mechanical Turk," tapping into an online community.
Benefits include access to a broader demographic than traditional student populations, and the ability to recruit thousands of potential participants quickly.

Description

Test your knowledge on different sampling methods in psychology with this informative flashcard quiz. Learn the definitions and implications of self-selected and non-random sampling, among other types. Perfect for psychology students seeking to deepen their understanding of research methods.