Probability Sampling
1. Random Selection – every member has an equal chance of being selected.
2. Ideal for quantitative research
3. Opportunity of Selection – Fixed and Known
4. Research – Conclusive
5. Result – Unbiased
6. Method – Objective
7. Inference(Conclusion) – Statistical
8. Hypothesis – Tested
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Advantages – probability sampling minimizes the risk of systematic bias. This means that you are reducing the risk of over or under-representation – ensuring your results are representative of the population.
Disadvantages – more complex, more time consuming, more expensive
Non-Probability Sampling
1. Non-Random Selection(Arbitrarily) – every member does not have an equal chance of being selected.
2. Not ideal for quantitative research
3. Opportunity of Selection – Not Fixed and UnKnown
4. Research – Exploratory
5. Result – Biased
6. Method – Subjective
7. Inference(Conclusion) – Analytical
8. Hypothesis – Generated
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Advantages – 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.
Disadvantages – impossible to know how well you are representing the population. You can’t calculate confidence intervals and margins of error.