Population and Sampling

Question 1

Definition of a population

Answer 1

A group of people who are the focus of the researcher’s interest, a smaller sample is drawn from this

Question 2

What is random sampling?

Answer 2

When every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen

Question 3

What are 2 advantages of random sampling?

Answer 3

• There is no researcher bias
• Confounding variables should be distributed evenly

Question 4

What are 3 disadvantages of random sampling?

Answer 4

• Time consuming
• Participants may refuse to take part
• May randomly draw a non representative sample

Question 5

What is systematic sampling?

Answer 5

Every nth member of the target population is selected

Question 6

What are the 2 steps to complete systematic sampling?

Answer 6

• Create a list of the target population in an order
• Take a sample from this list

Question 7

What is the advantage of systematic sampling?

Answer 7

• Researcher has no influence once the system is chosen, avoids bias

Question 8

What is a disadvantage of systematic sampling?

Answer 8

• Could still draw a non representative sample

Question 9

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 9

Sample carried from people who are available and willing when the study is carried out

Question 10

What are the advantages of opportunity sampling?

Answer 10

• Less costly
• Convenient

Question 11

What is the disadvantage of opportunity sampling?

Answer 11

• Unrepresentative of the target population

Question 12

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 12

The sample reflects proportions of certain subgroups in the target population

Question 13

What is an advantage of stratified sampling?

Answer 13

Avoids researcher bias

Question 14

What is the disadvantage of stratified sampling?

Answer 14

Complete representation of the population is not possible

Question 15

What is the definition of experimental design?

Answer 15

How you allocate your participants to different conditions

Question 16

What is the definition of order effects?

Answer 16

When the order of the conditions has an effect on participant behaviour

Question 17

What is the definition of counterbalancing?

Answer 17

Alternating the orders in which participants take part in different conditions