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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.

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