Sampling Techniques (AQA A Level Sociology): Revision Note

What is sampling?

• In sociological research, it is usually impossible to study the entire population due to practical constraints such as time, cost, and access

• Instead, researchers select a sample—a smaller group chosen to represent the wider population

• The goal is for the sample to be as representative as possible so that findings can be generalised to the population as a whole

• The sample can be selected from a sampling frame:

  • A full list of all members of the population the sociologist wants to study, e.g.,

    • school registers

    • the voters roll

    • Royal Mail's list of postcodes

• If the sampling frame is inaccurate, the sample drawn from it will not be representative or typical of the wider population

  • As a result, extrapolating or generalising the results to the wider population is difficult

• A well-chosen sample allows sociologists to draw valid conclusions about trends, patterns, and behaviours in the wider group

Sampling methods

• Sociologists use different methods to select participants depending on their aims, resources, and access

• Each method has strengths and limitations

Random sampling

• Each member of the sampling frame has an equal chance of being selected

• Aims to be objective and eliminate bias in terms of who takes part in the research

Evaluation

• Strengths of random sampling methods:

  • Bias is reduced as the researcher has no influence over who is selected

  • Samples are selected that aim to be representative of the population

• Weaknesses of random sampling methods:

  • Difficult and time-consuming to conduct in comparison to non-random sampling methods, as a sampling frame may be difficult to obtain

  • Participants selected may refuse to take part, so a completely representative sample may not be possible

Non-random sampling

• These sampling methods are used where no sampling frame is available, such as homeless people or class A drug users

Evaluation

• Strengths of non-random sampling methods:

  • Convenient methods, as they save the researcher a lot of time and effort in comparison to probability sampling methods

  • Maybe the only way a researcher can obtain a sample

• Weaknesses of non-random sampling methods:

  • Biased, as the researcher has control over who is selected; for instance, they may avoid people they don't like the look of

  • A representative sample cannot be selected, so findings cannot be generalised to the wider population