Random Sampling Why Random Sampling Essay

There are sampling methods that are still under the quantitative paradigm but utilize non-random sampling to collect data from samples that are either too expensive or logistically difficult to select if random sampling will be used instead. These sampling methods can be convenience, purposive, quota, and snowball sampling (Babbie, 2003:211).

Convenience sampling is a non-random sampling method used when the goal is just to achieve the target sample size of a specific group for the study. No other criteria are set except for the kind of group being targeted and sample size that needs to be achieved. Purposive sampling, meanwhile, specifies characteristics of units that will be included in the sample. These units could be extreme characteristics of each other, or maybe only units from the extreme end of a characteristic spectrum are needed. The objective of this sampling method is to include units of a specific type or a combination of different types.Quota sampling is used when the researcher's objective is to achieve a specific proportion of the target population. Snowball sampling, lastly, is used when the units of a sample are difficult to reach, such as commercial sex workers, HIV-infected individuals, substance abuse victims, among many others.

In conducting a good scientific research, rigor in conducting data collection and analysis must be ensured to yield reliable and valid results. Since scientific research gives importance to the level of confidence and margin of error from which the results will be analyzed and interpreted, data collection and analysis stages must adhere to strict, objective, and systematic methods of conducting scientific / statistical, quantitative research.

Reference:

Babbie, E. (2003). The Practice of Social Research.….....