Discuss sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research

1. Discuss sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research Jacob Lunden-Welden Isabelle Persson Ryan Jeon

2. Sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research Different from quantitative research as qualitative research is more open-ended

3. Sampling methods • Methods are classified as either • Probability • Non-probability

4. Probability • Believed to be the most rigorous approach to sampling for statistical research • Quantitative methods use inferential statistical tests based on samples that are randomly selected from a target

5. Non-probability • In qualitative research the sample is not intended to be statistically representative • The researcher may still want to have a representative sample from a target population • However, the focus is not on statistical representation

6. How are samples chosen? • A sample in qualitative research is chosen because it represents important characteristics of a population • It is these characteristics that are the main concern in evaluation of research

7. The different sampling procedures Purposive sampling Snowball sampling Convenience sampling

8. Purposive sampling • Targets a particular group of people • Researcher decides early on the criteria to be used for sampling based on aim and previous knowledge within the field

9. How are participants chosen? • Participants chosen based on specific characteristics which will help the researcher explore the research topic fully • Socio-economic characteristics: ex, people living in poverty • Specific experiences: ex, childhood abuse • Social roles: ex, father • Reason: all features of relevance must be used in the sample

10. When is it useful? • Useful when researcher needs to obtain a sample quickly to investigate an urgent problem • Example: Introducing new rehabilitation scheme for people who have strokes • Allows for detailed observation and investigation on particular issues when using this scheme and can also help change certain features before the scheme is fully implemented on a broader scale

11. A good example for usage • May be only possible option if the desired population for the population is rare or hard to locate • Example: Studying elderly women who are homeless

12. Some problems • Problem: Sample may be biased • Although it involves deliberate choices, it doesn’t necessarily have to be biased as this risk is limited by basing the sampling process on objective criteria

13. What is Snowball Sampling Method used to obtain research and knowledge from extended associations through previous acquaintances “uses recommendations to find people with the specific range of skills that has been determined as being useful” Builds networks and increases number of participants Success depends on the initial contacts made and the number of participants

14. Method Draft up a participation program Approach stakeholders and ask for contacts Gain contacts and ask them to participate Community issues groups may emerge that can be included in the participation program Continue the snowballing with contacts to gain more stakeholders if necessary Ensure a diversity of contacts by widening the profile of people involved in this method

15. When to Use Snowball Sampling • Can be used to identify experts in a certain field • 3M wanted to know the lead expert in surgical drapes • First contacted a veterinarian and a Broadway make-up artist • After interviewing these “experts” they requested the experts to recommend any other leading experts • The snowball has gained more snow and thus information grows

16. Advantages Quickly find people who are experts in their field since people know who are better than them at their own job Find an increase in participant pool

17. Disadvantages Inexact and can produce varied and inaccurate results Heavily reliant on the skill of the sampling method Requires initial contacts which may be difficult Lack of definite knowledge that can cause inaccurate readings Sampling must be controlled to prevent any inaccurate trends

18. Convenience sampling As the name suggests, this sampling focuses on convenience and availability. Used in nearly all Internal Assessments of IB psychology. An example of convenience sampling is simply asking if the participant want to join the experiment

19. Discussion question • Question 1: You want to do a study on midlife crisis, which sampling would be most fitting and why? • Think of possible strengths and weaknesses of your chosen sampling technique • Question 2: You want to do a study on adolescent behaviour, which sampling would be most fitting and why? • Think of possible strengths and weaknesses of your chosen sampling technique