purposive sampling

Introduction

Purposive sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where the researcher selects participants based on specific characteristics or criteria relevant to the study. This method is often used in qualitative research to ensure that the sample closely aligns with the research objectives, thereby enhancing the depth and relevance of the data collected.

Key Insights

Efficiency and Relevance:
- Purposive sampling is effective for studying specific cultural domains with knowledgeable experts, ensuring the reliability and competence of informants.
- It helps in achieving a manageable amount of data by prioritizing studies that are most relevant, have rich data, and represent a wide geographic spread.
Rigour and Trustworthiness:
- This method improves the rigour of the study by better matching the sample to the research aims and objectives, thus enhancing credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability .
- Making explicit the approach used for participant sampling provides improved methodological rigour, as demonstrated in various case studies .
Comparison with Other Sampling Methods:
- Purposive sampling, while inherently biased, remains robust and can be more efficient than random probability sampling in certain contexts.
- It is often compared with convenience sampling, with the choice between the two depending on the nature and type of the research .
Limitations and Considerations:
- The findings from purposive samples can only be generalized to the subpopulation from which the sample is drawn, not to the entire population.
- Online purposive samples may have unknown biases and should ideally be interpreted in conjunction with probability samples and ethnographic fieldwork to ensure external validity .
Application in Various Contexts:
- Purposive sampling can be integrated into different contexts depending on the study design, as shown in case studies involving mental wellbeing and stakeholder views .
- It is also used in field quality control of engineering projects, where it can be implemented alongside random sampling, provided the limitations are recognized.

Conclusion

Purposive sampling is a valuable technique in qualitative research, offering efficiency and relevance by selecting participants who best meet the study's objectives. It enhances the rigour and trustworthiness of the research but comes with limitations regarding generalizability. The method's robustness and applicability across various contexts make it a crucial tool for researchers, especially when random sampling is impractical. However, researchers must be mindful of its inherent biases and consider complementary methods to ensure comprehensive and valid results.

Purposive sampling

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Purposive sampling in a qualitative evidence synthesis: a worked example from a synthesis on parental perceptions of vaccination communication

Purposive sampling in a qualitative evidence synthesis on vaccination communication ensured a wide geographic spread, rich data, and a focus that closely resembled our synthesis objective.

Purposive Sampling as a Tool for Informant Selection

Purposive sampling is an effective technique for selecting knowledgeable experts in ethnobotanical research, ensuring reliable and competent data collection.

Purposive sampling: complex or simple? Research case examples

Purposive sampling improves methodological rigour and trustworthiness in qualitative research by aligning with the research methodology, aims, and objectives, enhancing credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

Hidden Populations, Online Purposive Sampling, and External Validity

Online purposive samples of hidden populations should be interpreted alongside probability samples and ethnographic fieldwork to accurately infer demographic and drug use characteristics of hidden populations.

The Inconvenient Truth About Convenience and Purposive Samples

Good sampling techniques are crucial for validating research findings, as convenience and purposive samples can only generalize to the subpopulation from which they are drawn.

Commentary: Purposive sampling: complex or simple? Research case examples

This paper provides real-life examples of purposive sampling, highlighting key considerations for novice researchers, while highlighting the importance of ethical sampling strategies in qualitative research.

Field quality control of an earth dam: random versus purposive sampling

Both random and purposive sampling operations can be implemented for earth dam quality control, provided their potentialities and limitations are clearly recognized during design and construction.

Comparison of Convenience Sampling and Purposive Sampling

The choice between Convenience Sampling and Purposive Sampling depends on the nature and type of the research, with both techniques having limitations and their usefulness depending on the situation.

Representativeness of online purposive sampling with Australian cannabis cultivators.

Online purposive sampling of Australian cannabis cultivators is not representative, but it provides greater confidence in our methodology using internet and traditional recruitment sources.

Joining the incompatible: Exploiting purposive lists for the sample-based estimation of species richness

The proposed estimator improves sample-based estimation of species richness by using purposive sampling lists, providing accurate estimates without error.

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