Sampling

Explanations > Social Research > Sampling

In doing social research it is often difficult or impractical to talk to every possible person of interest, though you may want to draw conclusions about this population.

Sampling terminology: Basic terms.
Choosing a sampling method: Finding the best approach.

here are a wide range of sampling techniques:

Probability sampling: Random selection.
- Simple random sampling: Pure sample of population.
- Stratified sampling: Sample from separate groups.
- Systematic sampling: Use every nth person.
- Cluster sampling: Focus on a few groups.
Non-probability sampling: Non random methods.
- Convenience sampling: Use who's available.
- Purposive sampling: Selection based on purpose.
- Modal instance sampling: Focus on 'typical' people.
- Expert sampling: Selecting 'experts' for opinion or study.
- Quota sampling: Keep going until the sample size is reached.
- Proportionate quota sampling: Balance across groups by population proportion.
- Non-proportionate quota sampling: Study a minimum number in each sub-group.
- Diversity sampling: Seeking variation with a wide net.
- Snowball sampling: Get sampled people to nominate others.
- Judgment sampling: Selecting what seems like a good enough sample.
Ethnographic data collection, in which there is:
- Theoretical sampling: Decide what is next, based on what you have now.
- Selective sampling: Deliberate choice of where and who to sample.

Note that it is important in your study to be honest about the sampling method used, even if this may lead to criticism of your results. Remember that it is far worse to be found to have concealed such information. One falsehood can throw everything you have ever done into doubt.

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