Sampling

What is Sampling

Key Considerations

As a class we will read through the following handout and discuss the key considerations your research team must consider.

Sampling fact sheet

Sampling Methods

Random

To obtain a random sample you need to choose participants in such a way that each person in the population has an equal chance of being selected. A simple random sample is free from sampling bias. For example, if you want to select 10 people randomly from a population of 100, you could write or print their names on separate pieces of paper, fold them up, mix them thoroughly and then select 10 pieces of paper. In this case, every person has an equal chance of being picked.

Systematic

This means having a system to follow e.g. Choosing every 5th person who walks into the shopping center, 25%, 1 in 3.

Stratified

This is where the researcher chooses groups to enhance the diversity of participants. Participants are then randomly selected from each group. e.g. age, gender, culture, SES, health status, residency vs citizen, sexuality

Cluster

This sampling method includes groups, or clusters of individuals chosen at random from larger groups with common features e.g. 5 students chosen from each Yr. 7 PDHPE class.

Activity - CI Exploration

Choose one of the sample projects on the Google classroom and answer the following:

What was the focus of the research?
What was the sample group and size?
What reasons did they offer to justify their choice of sampling methods?

Reliability and Validity

Before selecting a sampling method and size, researchers must first consider reliability and validity to ensure their study produces consistent and accurate results. As a class read through the following handout, then brainstorm how reliability and validity may influence:

Sample size
Sample method
Sample group

Reliability and Validity fact sheet

CI Application

Within your research teams, decide on the sampling methods, sample group and sample size you will use. To do that you need to collaboratively discuss the following:

Brainstorm: what methods can we eliminate that are not as suited?
Group: who will make up our group? (This must be guided heavily by our question)
Size: how many people do you think we need to include? (Consider size for a questionnaire versus interview etc.)

Once you have your sampling methods decided, open your proposal and answer the following section:

Describe the sampling methods, sample group and sample size you will use and propose reasons why they are most suitable

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