In a survevy people are choosed from class friends or neighbours for the purpose of knowing their preference for a certain brand of soft drink, is an example of
Convenience sampling
Understanding Sampling Methods in Surveys
The question describes a scenario where a survey is conducted to understand people's preference for a soft drink brand. The participants for this survey are chosen from the surveyor's class friends or neighbours. This specific method of selecting participants falls under a particular type of sampling technique.
What is Convenience Sampling?
Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling method where the researcher selects participants who are easily accessible or convenient to reach. In this method, the selection of participants is not based on random selection or any specific statistical criteria, but purely on their availability and proximity to the researcher.
In the given scenario, choosing class friends or neighbours is convenient for the person conducting the survey. They are readily available and easy to approach for gathering information about soft drink preferences. This perfectly aligns with the definition and characteristics of convenience sampling.
Why Other Options are Incorrect Sampling Methods
- Judgement Sampling: This method involves selecting participants based on the researcher's expert judgment or knowledge about the population and the study's objectives. The researcher hand-picks individuals they believe are representative or hold specific characteristics relevant to the study. Choosing friends or neighbours doesn't necessarily imply expert judgment about their representativeness of a larger population's soft drink preference.
- Cluster Sampling: In cluster sampling, the total population is divided into groups or clusters (e.g., geographic areas, schools). A random sample of these clusters is selected, and then all members within the chosen clusters are surveyed. The method described in the question does not involve dividing the population into clusters and randomly selecting from them; it is about selecting individuals based on convenience.
- Stratified Sampling: This method involves dividing the population into distinct subgroups or strata based on certain characteristics (e.g., age, gender, income). Then, a random sample is drawn from each stratum. The scenario of selecting friends or neighbours does not involve creating specific strata or randomly sampling from them.
Therefore, based on the description of selecting participants based on ease of access from class friends or neighbours, the method employed is convenience sampling.
Identifying Convenience Sampling in Surveys
Here are some key indicators of convenience sampling:
- Participants are selected because they are readily available.
- The selection is non-random.
- Examples include surveying people on the street, asking volunteers, or using easily accessible groups like friends, family, or colleagues.
Revision Table: Comparing Sampling Methods
| Sampling Method | Description | Example (related to question) |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience Sampling | Selecting participants based on ease of access. | Asking friends, classmates, or neighbours. |
| Judgement Sampling | Selecting participants based on expert judgment. | Researcher picking specific individuals believed to be knowledgeable about soft drinks. |
| Cluster Sampling | Dividing population into clusters, randomly selecting clusters, surveying all in selected clusters. | Randomly selecting a few residential blocks and surveying everyone in those blocks. |
| Stratified Sampling | Dividing population into strata, randomly sampling from each stratum. | Dividing people by age groups and randomly selecting a few from each group. |
Additional Information: Non-Probability Sampling
Convenience sampling is a type of non-probability sampling. Non-probability sampling methods do not involve random selection, and therefore, the sample may not be representative of the larger population. While convenient and cost-effective, findings from convenience samples should be interpreted with caution regarding their generalizability to the entire population.
Other non-probability sampling methods include judgement sampling, quota sampling, and snowball sampling.
In contrast, probability sampling methods (like simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling) ensure that every unit in the population has a known non-zero chance of being selected, allowing for more statistically valid inferences about the population.
Important Questions from Sample
Arrange in sequence the steps involved in the sampling process
A. Choose between probability and nonprobability sampling
B. Specify sampling unit
C. Validate sample
D. Determine the necessary sample size
E.Select appropriate sampling frame
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which one of the following is NOT an essential characteristic of data?
Which of the following are correct about Questionnaire?
(a) In open ended question, specific responses are taken through ranking, scaled items and categorical responses.
(b) In ranking, respondent place the response in a rank order according to some criteria.
(c) In scaled item, respondent indicate the strength of their agreement only.
(d) In categorical response, respondent are given only two responses such as 'yes' or 'no'.
Choose the correct option from the codes :
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: If a population from which a sample is to be drawn does not constitute a homogenous group, stratified sampling technique is generally applied in order to obtain a representative sample.
Statement II: In the case of small samples, z-test is applied even if the population standard deviation is not available (given).
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
- Which of the example requires snowball sampling technique?
