AQA A Level Psychology Sampling Exam Questions & Answers 100% Accurate

Sample - ANSWER-A group of people who take part in a research investigation. The sample is drawn form a target population and is presumed to be a representation of that population Random Sample - ANSWER-All members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected. Obtain a list of participants, assign them a number and use some lottery method- e.g. a computer-based randomiser to generate sample What are the strengths of a Random Sample? - ANSWER-Unbias selection- free from researcher bias- no inf over who is selected-prevents from choosing ppl who they think support their hypothesis. Generalisation as the sample will be fairly representative, findings will be generalizable to the target population What are the weaknesses of a random sample? - ANSWER-It is impractical because random sampling is difficult and time-consuming to achieve as it is sometimes hard to get the details for a complete list of the target population and not all member may be available or want to take part sample may end up still unrepresentitive- by chance, the sample may all end up being one variable e.g. all pots ending up being female Opportunity Sample - ANSWER-The researcher takes the chance to ask whoever is available and willing at the time of the study What are the Strengths of a opportunity sample? - ANSWER-Ease of Formation - Opportunity samples are easy and convenient to create as they use people who are readily available, and so there's less time and effort invested