Sampling Techniques

Given that different sampling techniques exist, sampling of the purposive

samples was considered as appropriate for this research.
A purposive sample is a non-probability sample that is selected based on
characteristics of a population and the objective of the study. Purposive sampling
is also known as judgmental, selective, or subjective sampling.
Purposive Sampling Types

 Maximum Variation/Heterogeneous Purposive Sample

 Homogeneous Purposive Sample
 Typical Case Sampling
 Extreme/Deviant Case Sampling
 Critical case Sampling
 Total Population Sampling
 Expert Sampling

This type of sampling can be very useful in situations when you need to reach a
targeted sample quickly, and where sampling for proportionality is not the main
concern. There are seven types of purposive samples, each appropriate to a
different research objective.

Types of Purposive Samples

Maximum Variation/Heterogeneous

A maximum variation/heterogeneous purposive sample is one which is selected

to provide a diverse range of cases relevant to a particular phenomenon or event.
The purpose of this kind of sample design is to provide as much insight as
possible into the event or phenomenon under examination. For example, when
conducting a street poll about an issue, a researcher would want to ensure that he
or she speaks with as many different kinds of people as possible in order to
construct a robust view of the issue from the public's perspective.

Homogeneous

A homogeneous purposive sample is one that is selected for having a shared

characteristic or set of characteristics. For example, a team of researchers wanted
to understand what the significance of white skin—whiteness—means to white
people, so they asked white people about this. This is a homogenous sample
created on the basis of race.

Typical Case Sampling

Typical case sampling is a type of purposive sampling useful when a researcher
wants to study a phenomenon or trend as it relates to what are considered
"typical" or "average" members of the effected population. If a researcher wants
to study how a type of educational curriculum affects the average student, then he
or she choose to focus on average members of a student population.

Extreme/Deviant Case Sampling

Conversely, extreme/deviant case sampling is used when a researcher wants to

study the outliers that diverge from the norm as regards a particular
phenomenon, issue, or trend. By studying the deviant cases, researchers can
often gain a better understanding of the more regular patterns of behavior. If a
researcher wanted to understand the relationship between study habits and high
academic achievement, he or she should purposively sample students considered
high achievers.

Critical Case Sampling

Critical case sampling is a type of purposive sampling in which just one case is
chosen for study because the researcher expects that studying it will reveal
insights that can be applied to other like cases. When sociologist C.J.
Pascoe wanted to study sexuality and gender identity develop among high school
students, she selected what was considered to be an average high school in terms
of population and family income, so that her findings from this case could be
more generally applicable.

Total Population Sampling

With total population sampling a researcher chooses to examine the entire

population that has one or more shared characteristics. This kind of purposive
sampling technique is commonly used to generate reviews of events or
experiences, which is to say, it is common to studies of particular groups within
larger populations.

Expert Sampling

Expert sampling is a form of purposive sampling used when research requires

one to capture knowledge rooted in a particular form of expertise. It is common
to use this form of purposive sampling technique in the early stages of a research
process, when the researcher is seeking to become better informed about the
topic at hand before embarking on a study. Doing this kind of early-stage expert-
based research can shape research questions and research design in important
ways.
Updated by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

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