Nonprobability samples (Non-representative samples) Non probability samples are less taken into account than probability samples, as they are not the precise and reliable reflection of the population. They are not the true representative of the population. This sample type does not give all the individuals in the population equal chances of being selected. It means we are not sure that each population element will be chosen. Non-probability sampling methods has two main advantages, that is convenience and cost, but the main disadvantage is that non-probability sampling methods do not help you to predict the extent to which sample statistics can be different from the population parameters, so valid inferences cannot be drawn Non probability …show more content…
It depends on the purpose of the research which the researcher has holds in his frame of mind and researcher selects a population on the bases of knowledge about the population and the problem or issue itself. So participants are selected on the bases of study’s purpose. The sample should comprise of the individuals who meet the category or criteria being set for the research objectives. For example researcher investing a cosmetic product which is designed only for the females between 50-60. The researcher does size up the individuals passing by who seems to meet that criteria or be in that category (only females between 50-60). Researcher stops them and asks them if they are willing to participate. The advantage of purposive sampling is that may be very beneficial for situations where you want an immediate response from the targeted sample and where proportionality is not the basic concern. The disadvantage involves that researcher may tend to overweight subgroups in the population which are more readily reachable and …show more content…
Researcher begins by identifying individuals who can fulfill the criteria for inclusion in the study, and then he/she asks these individuals to suggest or recommend more other people who are able to meet the required criteria or category. The advantage of this method is that this sampling method is particularly beneficial when the required number of participants is not available and might be difficult to search. For example, a study on working current heroin users, it is difficult to find heroin addicts openly everywhere according to required number of sample size but it is possible when you contact a n heroin addict, he must know other heroin addicts and thus can recommend more heroin addicts. Although this method may hardly reflect the representative samples, at times it can be the best method available. Snowball sampling is especially useful when researcher is attempting to reach populations that are