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A convenience sample refers to a subset of a research population that is utilized because of ease of access. Sampling is a practical solution to the fact that research populations are often too large or expensive to be studied in their entirety. (A research population is the largest collection of elements, people, artifacts, or other units of interest to the researcher.) Consequently, researchers will work with samples — subsets of research populations. The convenience sample is also known as an ”accidental sample since elements are selected by virtue of being in the right place at the right time. Reporters often utilize a convenience sample when they interview individuals who are close at hand. Educators who administer surveys to their students are also employing a convenience sample.
A convenience sample is a type of nonprobability sampling. Nonprobability samples are not based on a random selection process. A random selection process utilizes a sampling frame (a list of all elements in the population of interest) and chance to determine which elements from the population are selected for the sample. The selection of names from a hat illustrates a random selection process. A random selection process gives every element in the larger population an equal chance of being selected for the sample and thus gives us our best chance of obtaining a representative sample. When we use a nonprobability sample we cannot make any claim that our sample does a good job at representing the larger population from which it is selected. Nonprobability samples are not appropriate for generalizing sample findings back to populations and thus are weak with regard to external validity — the ability to use sample findings to make accurate statements about entire populations.
Bibliography:
- Ruane, J. (2005) Essentials ofResearch Methods: A Guide to Social Science Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA.
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