Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods: Purposeful Sampling

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is the main difference between qualitative and quantitative sampling approaches?

Both qualitative and quantitative methods use purposeful sampling

Both qualitative and quantitative methods use random sampling

Qualitative methods depend on random sampling, while quantitative methods focus on purposeful sampling

Qualitative methods focus on purposeful sampling, while quantitative methods depend on random sampling (correct)

What is the primary purpose of probability sampling in quantitative methods?

To study cases that provide a great deal of central importance to the research

To select information-rich cases for in-depth study

To permit confident generalization from the sample to a larger population (correct)

To focus on relatively small samples, even single cases

What characterizes information-rich cases in purposeful sampling?

They provide little central importance to the research

They are selected randomly

They provide a great deal about issues of central importance to the research (correct)

They are statistically representative of the larger population

Which type of sampling approach focuses on selecting truly random and statistically representative samples?

Quantitative methods Signup and view all the answers

Why does qualitative inquiry typically focus on relatively small samples?

Because it allows for in-depth analysis of the selected cases Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe cases from which one can learn a great deal about issues of central importance to the research?

Information-rich cases Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of purposeful sampling?

To select information-rich cases that will illuminate the questions under study Signup and view all the answers

What is the logic behind extreme case sampling?

To learn about unusual conditions or extreme outcomes that are relevant to improving more typical programs Signup and view all the answers

What type of cases does extreme or deviant case sampling focus on?

Cases that are unusual or special in some way Signup and view all the answers

What may be learned from extreme case sampling?

Lessons about unusual conditions or extreme outcomes relevant to improving more typical programs Signup and view all the answers

When might an evaluator choose to use extreme case sampling?

When the question concerns extreme cases and conditions that can improve typical programs Signup and view all the answers

Why might one intensively study one or more examples of really poor programs and one or more examples of really excellent programs?

To understand under what conditions programs get into trouble and exemplify excellence Signup and view all the answers

What information is already available for the question of more immediate interest concerning extreme cases?

Data on what program variation is like from knowledgeable sources Signup and view all the answers

Why might a random sample be appropriate for documenting natural variation among programs?

Because it permits generalizations to the total population of programs Signup and view all the answers

Why would it not be necessary to randomly sample poor programs or excellent programs?

Because it focuses on understanding under what conditions programs get into trouble and exemplify excellence Signup and view all the answers

What does purposeful sampling aim to select?

Information-rich cases whose study will illuminate the questions under study Signup and view all the answers

Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods: Purposeful Sampling

Podcast Beta

Questions and Answers