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Non-Probability Sampling: Definition, Types, Examples, and Advantages

This document discusses non-probability sampling methods. It defines non-probability sampling as selecting samples based on the researcher's judgment rather than random selection. The main types of non-probability sampling discussed are convenience sampling, consecutive sampling, quota sampling, judgmental sampling, and snowball sampling. Examples are given for each type. Some advantages of non-probability sampling are that it is faster and less costly than probability sampling. However, it is more subject to sampling bias since not all individuals have an equal chance of being selected.

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ARUNSANKAR N
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349 views13 pages

Non-Probability Sampling: Definition, Types, Examples, and Advantages

This document discusses non-probability sampling methods. It defines non-probability sampling as selecting samples based on the researcher's judgment rather than random selection. The main types of non-probability sampling discussed are convenience sampling, consecutive sampling, quota sampling, judgmental sampling, and snowball sampling. Examples are given for each type. Some advantages of non-probability sampling are that it is faster and less costly than probability sampling. However, it is more subject to sampling bias since not all individuals have an equal chance of being selected.

Uploaded by

ARUNSANKAR N
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Non-probability sampling: definition,

types, examples, and advantages

Dr.N.Arunsankar
Non probability sampling
 Non-probability sampling is defined as a sampling technique in
which the researcher selects samples based on the subjective
judgment of the researcher rather than random selection. It is a
less stringent method. This sampling method depends heavily on
the expertise of the researchers. It is carried out by observation,
and researchers use it widely for qualitative research.

Definition
1. Convenience sampling
2. Consecutive sampling
3. Quota sampling
4. Judgmental or Purposive sampling
5. Snowball sampling

Types of non-probability sampling


 Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where samples are
selected from the population only because they are conveniently available to the
researcher.
 Researchers choose these samples just because they are easy to recruit, and the
researcher did not consider selecting a sample that represents the entire
population.
Ideally, in research, it is good to test a sample that represents the population.
 in some research, the population is too large to examine and consider the entire
population. It is one of the reasons why researchers rely on convenience sampling,
which is the most common non-probability sampling method, because of its speed,
cost-effectiveness, and ease of availability of the sample.

Convenience sampling
 This non-probability sampling method is very similar to
convenience sampling, with a slight variation.
 the researcher picks a single person or a group of a sample,
conducts research over a period, analyzes the results, and then
moves on to another subject or group if needed.
 Consecutive sampling technique gives the researcher a chance to
work with many topics and fine-tune his/her research by
collecting results that have vital insights.

Consecutive sampling
 a researcher wants to study the career goals of male and female employees
in an organization.
 There are 500 employees in the organization, also known as the
population. To understand better about a population, the researcher will
need only a sample, not the entire population. Further, the researcher is
interested in particular strata within the population.
 Here is where quota sampling helps in dividing the population into strata
or groups.

Quota sampling:
 In the judgmental sampling method, researchers select the samples
based purely on the researcher’s knowledge and credibility.
 In other words, researchers choose only those people who they deem
fit to participate in the research study. 
 Judgmental or purposive sampling is not a scientific method of
sampling, and the downside to this sampling technique is that the
preconceived notions of a researcher can influence the results. Thus,
this research technique involves a high amount of ambiguity.

Judgmental or purposive sampling


 Snowball sampling helps researchers find a sample when they are
difficult to locate.
 Researchers use this technique when the sample size is small and
not easily available. This sampling system works like the referral
program.
 Once the researchers find suitable subjects, he asks them for
assistance to seek similar subjects to form a considerably good
size sample.

Snowball sampling
1. An example of convenience sampling would be using student volunteers known to
the researcher. Researchers can send the survey to students belonging to a
particular school, college, or university, and act as a sample.
2. In an organization, for studying the career goals of 500 employees, technically, the
sample selected should have proportionate numbers of males and females. Which
means there should be 250 males and 250 females. Since this is unlikely, the
researcher selects the groups or strata using quota sampling.
3. Researchers also use this type of sampling to conduct research involving a
particular illness in patients or a rare disease. Researchers can seek help from
subjects to refer to other subjects suffering from the same ailment to form a
subjective sample to carry out the study.

Non-probability sampling examples


 Use this type of sampling to indicate if a particular trait or characteristic exists in
a population.
 Researchers widely use the non-probability sampling method when they aim at
conducting qualitative research, pilot studies, or exploratory research.
 Researchers use it when they have limited time to conduct research or have
budget constraints.
 When the researcher needs to observe whether a particular issue needs in-depth
analysis, he applies this method.
 Use it when you do not intend to generate results that will generalize the entire
population.

When to use non-probability sampling?


 Non-probability sampling techniques are a more conducive and practical
method for researchers deploying surveys in the real world. Although
statisticians prefer probability sampling because it yields data in the form of
numbers, however, if done correctly, it can produce similar if not the same
quality of results.
 Getting responses using non-probability sampling is faster and more cost-
effective than probability sampling because the sample is known to the
researcher. The respondents respond quickly as compared to people randomly
selected as they have a high motivation level to participate.

Advantages of non-probability sampling


Difference between non-probability sampling and probability sampling:

Non-probability sampling Probability sampling


Sample selection based on the subjective judgment of the The sample is selected at random
researcher.
The sample is selected at random.
Not everyone has an equal chance to participate. Everyone in the population has an equal chance of getting
selected.
Everyone in the population has an equal chance of getting
selected.

The researcher does not consider sampling bias.


Used when sampling bias has to be reduced. Used when sampling bias has to be reduced.

Useful when the population has similar traits. Useful when the population is diverse.

Useful when the population is diverse.

The sample does not accurately represent the population. Used to create an accurate sample.

Used to create an accurate sample.

Finding respondents is easy.


Finding the right respondents is not easy. Finding the right respondents is not easy.

Difference between non-probability sampling


and probability sampling

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