Discuss sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research
description
Transcript of Discuss sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research
Discuss sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research
Jacob Lunden-WeldenIsabelle Persson
Ryan Jeon
Sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research
Different from quantitative research as qualitative research is more open-ended
Sampling methods
Methods are classified as either Probability Non-probability
Probability
Believed to be the most rigorous approach to sampling for statistical research Quantitative methods use inferential statistical
tests based on samples that are randomly selected from a target
Non-probability
In qualitative research the sample is not intended to be statistically representative
The researcher may still want to have a representative sample from a target population However, the focus is not on statistical
representation
How are samples chosen?
A sample in qualitative research is chosen because it represents important characteristics of a population It is these characteristics that are the main
concern in evaluation of research
The different sampling procedures
Purposive sampling Snowball sampling Convenience sampling
Purposive sampling
Targets a particular group of people Researcher decides early on the criteria to be
used for sampling based on aim and previous knowledge within the field
How are participants chosen?
Participants chosen based on specific characteristics which will help the researcher explore the research topic fully Socio-economic characteristics: ex, people living in
poverty Specific experiences: ex, childhood abuse Social roles: ex, father
Reason: all features of relevance must be used in the sample
When is it useful?
Useful when researcher needs to obtain a sample quickly to investigate an urgent problem
Example: Introducing new rehabilitation scheme for people who have strokes Allows for detailed observation and investigation
on particular issues when using this scheme and can also help change certain features before the scheme is fully implemented on a broader scale
A good example for usage
May be only possible option if the desired population for the population is rare or hard to locate
Example: Studying elderly women who are homeless
Some problems
Problem: Sample may be biased Although it involves deliberate choices, it
doesn’t necessarily have to be biased as this risk is limited by basing the sampling process on objective criteria
What is Snowball Sampling
Method used to obtain research and knowledge from extended associations through previous acquaintances
“uses recommendations to find people with the specific range of skills that has been determined as being useful”
Builds networks and increases number of participants Success depends on the initial contacts made and the
number of participants
Method
1. Draft up a participation program2. Approach stakeholders and ask for contacts3. Gain contacts and ask them to participate4. Community issues groups may emerge that can be
included in the participation program5. Continue the snowballing with contacts to gain more
stakeholders if necessary6. Ensure a diversity of contacts by widening the profile of
people involved in this method
When to Use Snowball Sampling
Can be used to identify experts in a certain field 3M wanted to know the lead expert in surgical
drapes First contacted a veterinarian and a Broadway make-
up artist After interviewing these “experts” they requested
the experts to recommend any other leading experts The snowball has gained more snow and thus
information grows
Advantages
Quickly find people who are experts in their field since people know who are better than them at their own job
Find an increase in participant pool
Disadvantages
Inexact and can produce varied and inaccurate results
Heavily reliant on the skill of the sampling method Requires initial contacts which may be difficult Lack of definite knowledge that can cause
inaccurate readings Sampling must be controlled to prevent any
inaccurate trends
Convenience sampling
As the name suggests, this sampling focuses on convenience and availability.
Used in nearly all Internal Assessments of IB psychology.
An example of convenience sampling is simply asking if the participant want to join the experiment
Discussion question
Question 1: You want to do a study on midlife crisis, which sampling would be most fitting and why? Think of possible strengths and weaknesses of your
chosen sampling technique Question 2: You want to do a study on adolescent
behaviour, which sampling would be most fitting and why? Think of possible strengths and weaknesses of your
chosen sampling technique