Sampling
Sociology: AQA GCSE, topic 6.1.7
Sampling
Sampling is a way that sociologists use in order to select the group that they will study out of a target population.
Probability sampling
- Probability sampling is sampling that is based on a known population.
- Probability sampling is divided into the following categories:
- Random.
- Systematic.
- Stratified.
Non-probability sampling
- Non-probability sampling is sampling that is based on unknown populations.
- For example, homeless people.
- Non-probability sampling is divided into the following categories:
- Snowball.
- Quota.
Sample surveys
- Sociologists use sample surveys to solve some of the practical problems they might face such as the time and money spent on studying everyone in a target group.
- This is why sociologists try to collect data from a representative sample out of the larger population.
What is a sampling frame?
- A sampling frame is a list of people in the population that the researcher wants to study.
- These lists need to be accurate (they need to be regularly updated and complete)
- Inaccurate lists might affect the results of the study, making it invalid.
Types of Sampling
A sampling frame is a list of people in the population that the researcher wants to study. These lists need to be accurate. Inaccurate lists might affect the results of the study, making it invalid.
Probability samples (known populations)
- Random:
- Everyone has an equal chance of being selected. It is like drawing names out of a hat.
- Systematic:
- Every nth person from a list is selected.
- Stratified:
- When a sample is taken out of a certain category e.g. age, gender, social class etc. to be representative of the total population.
Non-probability samples (unknown populations)
- Snowball:
- Each member of the initial group suggests someone else who can take part in the study. It works the same way as a snowball.
- It starts as a small snowball on which more and more snow is added to make it bigger and bigger.
- Quota:
- The researcher selects the group based on one’s fixed characteristic e.g. age, gender etc.
Test yourself on Sampling
What are the two types of non-probability samples?