Research in the Social
Sciences
RSC2601
College of Human Sciences
Assignment 2 for 2021 (compulsory)
Unique Number: 366275
Due Date: 07 June 2021
QUESTION 1
Twenty-five people who lost a family member through suicide and who are currently
attending a support group, are referred to the researcher by other members in the
support group already in the sample.
This is an example of … sampling.
(1) convenience
(2) purposive
(3) theoretical
(4) snowball
Answer:
Refer to page 162 of the study guide:
, Snowball sampling
Snowball sampling is a technique that involves research respondents’ obtaining other
potential respondents. The term is taken from the analogy of a snowball. In the first stage of
sampling, only a few respondents are identified as having the required characteristics; these
respondents are interviewed by the researcher. These respondents are then used to identify
other people who qualify for inclusion in the sample. The next stage is interviewing the new
persons, and so it carries on until the researcher reaches data saturation. This sampling
technique is particularly useful in observational research and in community studies.
Snowball sampling is also useful for the study of sensitive or hidden populations (eg sex
workers, gays and women who have chosen to have an abortion). For example, the
researcher may personally know someone who has had an abortion. The woman is
contacted and asked if she knows of someone else who has also had an abortion. This type
of networking is particularly helpful in finding people who are reluctant to make their
identity known.
Therefore:
From the scenario it is clear that the researcher did not have a complete list of the
population. To find people who will possibly participate in the research project, the
researcher has to find a way of getting hold of these people. By asking the people who are
attending the support group to refer other people in the same situation to him/her, the
researcher builds up a sample. One person asks another to join in on the research and the
next person asks another one. This brings about a snowball effect.
If you read through the discussions of convenience, purposive and theoretical
sampling, you will understand why they are not correct. In convenience sampling the
researcher selects those elements that he or she can access easily. In purposive
sampling the researcher selects a sample that can be judged to be representative of
the total population, which is not possible in this case. Theoretical sampling is the
same as purposive or judgmental sampling and therefore option (3) is a red herring.
QUESTION 2
A researcher wishes to study Agoraphobia. The researcher places an advertisement in the
newspaper asking for participants. A total of 50 replies are received, of which the
researcher randomly selects 30. Only 15 participants actually turn up for their
appointment.
The problem with drawing a representative sample of participants with clinical conditions
such as agoraphobia is that …
(a) the participants who consent to participate may be unrepresentative of the target
population.
(b) no sampling strategies are appropriate for this research.
(c) no complete lists of sufferers’ names are usually available.
(d) the sample size is not an acceptable size for a representative sample.
Sciences
RSC2601
College of Human Sciences
Assignment 2 for 2021 (compulsory)
Unique Number: 366275
Due Date: 07 June 2021
QUESTION 1
Twenty-five people who lost a family member through suicide and who are currently
attending a support group, are referred to the researcher by other members in the
support group already in the sample.
This is an example of … sampling.
(1) convenience
(2) purposive
(3) theoretical
(4) snowball
Answer:
Refer to page 162 of the study guide:
, Snowball sampling
Snowball sampling is a technique that involves research respondents’ obtaining other
potential respondents. The term is taken from the analogy of a snowball. In the first stage of
sampling, only a few respondents are identified as having the required characteristics; these
respondents are interviewed by the researcher. These respondents are then used to identify
other people who qualify for inclusion in the sample. The next stage is interviewing the new
persons, and so it carries on until the researcher reaches data saturation. This sampling
technique is particularly useful in observational research and in community studies.
Snowball sampling is also useful for the study of sensitive or hidden populations (eg sex
workers, gays and women who have chosen to have an abortion). For example, the
researcher may personally know someone who has had an abortion. The woman is
contacted and asked if she knows of someone else who has also had an abortion. This type
of networking is particularly helpful in finding people who are reluctant to make their
identity known.
Therefore:
From the scenario it is clear that the researcher did not have a complete list of the
population. To find people who will possibly participate in the research project, the
researcher has to find a way of getting hold of these people. By asking the people who are
attending the support group to refer other people in the same situation to him/her, the
researcher builds up a sample. One person asks another to join in on the research and the
next person asks another one. This brings about a snowball effect.
If you read through the discussions of convenience, purposive and theoretical
sampling, you will understand why they are not correct. In convenience sampling the
researcher selects those elements that he or she can access easily. In purposive
sampling the researcher selects a sample that can be judged to be representative of
the total population, which is not possible in this case. Theoretical sampling is the
same as purposive or judgmental sampling and therefore option (3) is a red herring.
QUESTION 2
A researcher wishes to study Agoraphobia. The researcher places an advertisement in the
newspaper asking for participants. A total of 50 replies are received, of which the
researcher randomly selects 30. Only 15 participants actually turn up for their
appointment.
The problem with drawing a representative sample of participants with clinical conditions
such as agoraphobia is that …
(a) the participants who consent to participate may be unrepresentative of the target
population.
(b) no sampling strategies are appropriate for this research.
(c) no complete lists of sufferers’ names are usually available.
(d) the sample size is not an acceptable size for a representative sample.
