Samples and Pilot Studies (AQA A-Level Sociology): Flashcards

Entire group researchers want to investigate

Smaller group with similar social characteristics to target pop.

List from which researchers select sample participants

Accurately reflects social characteristics of larger pop.

Every person has equal opportunity to be selected

Divide pop. into categories, randomly select from each

Selecting every nth person from sampling frame

Randomly selecting naturally grouped clusters/groups

Selecting samples from other samples

Existing participants recommend others; uses gatekeeper

Deliberately choosing specific groups to test hypotheses

Small-scale preliminary investigation to test research methods

Trial methods, identify problems early, prevent costly errors

Computer software to reduce selection bias

Snowball sampling for BME youth & community policing research