Simple Random sample from Highly representative if all Not possible without complete random whole population subjects participate; the list of population members; ideal potentially uneconomical to achieve; can be disruptive to isolate members from a group; time-scale may be too long, data/sample could change Stratified Random sample from Can ensure that specific More complex, requires random identifiable groups groups are represented, even greater effort than simple (strata), subgroups, etc. proportionally, in the random; strata must be sample(s) (e.g., by gender), carefully defined by selecting individuals from strata list Cluster Random samples of Possible to select randomly Clusters in a level must be successive clusters of when no single list of equivalent and some natural subjects (e.g., by population members exists, ones are not for essential institution) until small but local lists do; data characteristics (e.g., groups are chosen as collected on groups may geographic: numbers equal, units avoid introduction of but unemployment rates differ) confounding by isolating members Stage Combination of cluster Can make up probability Complex, combines limitations (randomly selecting sample by random at stages of cluster and stratified random clusters) and random or and within groups; possible sampling stratified random to select random sample sampling of individuals when population lists are very localized Purposive Hand-pick subjects on Ensures balance of group Samples are not easily the basis of specific sizes when multiple groups defensible as being characteristics are to be selected representative of populations due to potential subjectivity of researcher Quota Select individuals as Ensures selection of Not possible to prove that the they come to fill a quota adequate numbers of sample is representative of by characteristics subjects with appropriate designated population proportional to characteristics populations Snowball Subjects with desired Possible to include members No way of knowing whether traits or characteristics of groups where no lists or the sample is representative of give names of further identifiable clusters even the population appropriate subjects exist (e.g., drug abusers, criminals) Volunteer, Either asking for Inexpensive way of Can be highly unrepresentative accidental, volunteers, or the ensuring sufficient numbers convenience consequence of not all of a study those selected finally participating, or a set of subjects who just happen to be available Source: Black, T. R. (1999). Doing quantitative research in the social sciences: An integrated approach to research design, measurement, and statistics. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. (p. 118)