Question

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of at least 2 different sampling methods. Describe how researchers go about selecting a sampling strategy. What role does the research question play in choosing the sample? What does it mean to have a representative sample and why is this vital to the outcome of the study?

Answer 1

Two different sampling methods are simple random sampling and qouta sampling.

The former is quite advantageous as it lowers the chances of selection bias. Although, there is the chance having not being able to control confounding variables.

The latter, which is qouta sampling, is advantageous as it helps in segrating the sample population and make clumps, and take a quota from the array of clumps.

The disadvantage is that, the sample isn't completely random, which leads to experimenter bias.

A representative sample helps in the generalization of the results to the rest of the population.

And, the research question is the most important while selecting the sample. For instance, if my question circles around Infants of a particular age, I won't take adults or adolescents as my sample representation.