Psychology Sampling Methods

Participants are selected based on naturally occurring groups.

• Random sampling

• Opportunity sampling

• Self-selected sampling

• Snowball sampling

Methods of selecting participants for a study where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. This can be done with a random number generator or by pulling names out of a hat.

• Opportunity sampling

• Snowball sampling

• Stratified sampling

• Random sampling

Participants volunteer - usually in response to an advertisement in the local community or over the Internet.

• Snowball sampling

• Random Sampling

• Self-selected sampling

• Stratified Sampling

Participants recruit other participants for a study.

• Snowball sampling

• Opportunity sampling

• Random sampling

• Self-selected sampling

The sample matches the make-up of the population. Participants from within various subgroups of the population are randomly selected.

• Self-selected sampling

• Random sampling

• Stratified sampling

• Opportunity sampling

Specific group of people whom they are interested in for their study

• Sample

• Snowball sampling

• Opportunity sampling

• Target population

Researchers often try to obtain a sample that represents a population.

• Representative sample

• Target population

• Population validity

• Haphazard sampling

This is a method that is neither random nor systematic. An example would be standing in front of the local mall and choosing people to interview on their thoughts about exercise and health. Haphazard sampling is a biased form of sampling and should be avoided.

• Opportunity sampling

• Snowball sampling

• Population validity

• Haphazard sampling