PLAN - Discuss three sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research

The three types of sampling:

Purposive Sampling

• Targets a particular group of people
• The participants are chosen on the basis of particular characteristics that will help the researcher to explore their chosen topic. (Important to have diversity)
• Useful in situations where the researcher needs to obtain a sample quickly to investigate an urgent problem.
• May also be the only option, if the desired population for the study is rare or difficult to locate.
• A big problem is that the sample may be biased
• Believe that if the sampling process is based on objective criteria, and these are clearly documented or explained, the bias is limited.
• Population Validity – cannot generalise from a particular group of people

Snowball Sampling

• A way of sampling which is used to get hold of participants without investing a lot of time and energy.
• Researcher simply asks participants in the study if they know potential other participants.
• Can be used to locate hidden populations.
• Cost efficient, as the researcher does not have to use expensive and time consuming techniques to locate participants.
• Major limitation of the method is that it is difficult to avoid bias in the sample
• And confidentiality concerns.

Convenience Sampling

• Selects a particular group of people who happen to be available. Simply asked if they would like to participate.
• Cost  and time efficient, can pick people that are available
• Similar research is needed to confirm it
• There may be some bias in who you choose.