Research Methods: Sampling
-
Upload
john-marsden -
Category
Education
-
view
151 -
download
10
description
Transcript of Research Methods: Sampling
Sampling
FdA and BA (Hons) Counselling with Brief Interventions
Counselling Research
Aims
By the end of this session you will be able to:
• Explain what sampling means• Identify the difference between probability
and non-probability sampling• Identify a sampling method appropriate for
your project
Why?
Here’s Why …
A credible and appropriate sampling strategy will strengthen your research methodology
Communicating a critical awareness of sampling when writing your project or dissertation will add gravitas to your work.
What is Sampling?
It’s too expensive to conduct research on a large population …
So we conduct research on a sample of that population …
How we choose our sample can be important, depending on the type of research we are undertaking …
Sampling in Quantitative Research
• I want to generalise my findings
• I want the research to be repeatable
• I want to remove subjectivity and bias
• It’s important that the sample is representative
Sampling in Qualitative Research
• I want to focus on individual stories and subjective experience
• I am interested in context and themes
• I am interested in ‘saturation’
Types of Sampling
In probability sampling we know what the likelihood is of each subject being chosen
Types of Sampling
Non- Probability
Sample
Convenience Snowball Quota
Probability Sampling #1
Random Sample1. Get a list (the sampling frame)2. Generate random numbers3. Select one person per random number
Probability Sampling #2
Systematic Random Sample1. Select a number e.g. 52. Get a list (the sampling frame)3. Select every e.g. 5th person on the list
Probability Sampling #3
Stratified Random Sample1. Your population is separated into groups2. Do a random or a systematic random sample
for each of those groups
Non-probability Sampling #1
The Convenience SampleChoose participants that are handy
Purposive sampling The researcher chooses participants based on whether he or she thinks they will be appropriate for the study
Non-probability Sampling #2
The Snowball SampleAsk participants to refer you to more participants
Non-probability Sampling #3
Quota Sampling1. Determine what the population is like
according to specific qualities2. Determine quotas for each quality3. Select people to fulfil each quota
Sampling and Your Research
Consider the sampling method you are going to use:
1. What would be appropriate?2. What would add credibility to your research?3. What fits with your methodology?4. What is do-able?
Conclusions
1. Consider how you are choosing your participants
2. Write about your sampling strategy in your methodology
3. Provide a rationale for your approach4. Demonstrate an understanding of sampling
and how it applies to your research