Sampling and Participants
Compare all six course-specified sampling methods and judge how a sample limits conclusions.
How to study Higher Psychology
Build each answer from accurate psychological knowledge, named evidence, application to behaviour, analysis and justified evaluation.
Core concepts
Concept 1
opportunity sampling
Exam cue: Describe the recruitment procedure, not just the label.
Concept 2
random sampling
Exam cue: Separate random selection from random allocation.
Concept 3
self-selection
Exam cue: Link representativeness to the defined target population.
Concept 4
systematic sampling
Concept 5
quota sampling
Concept 6
stratified sampling
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Calling convenient recruitment random.
Guardrail: Avoid deterministic claims, unsupported causation and generic evaluation disconnected from the named evidence.
Assuming a large biased sample is representative.
Guardrail: Avoid deterministic claims, unsupported causation and generic evaluation disconnected from the named evidence.
Using quota and stratified sampling interchangeably.
Guardrail: Avoid deterministic claims, unsupported causation and generic evaluation disconnected from the named evidence.
Memory anchors
Opportunity sample
Recruit participants who are available and accessible.
Random sample
Every target-population member has a known chance of selection through a random procedure.
Self-selected sample
Participants volunteer after an invitation or advertisement.
Systematic sample
Select at a fixed interval from an ordered sampling frame after choosing a start.
Quota sample
Recruit until set category proportions are filled, without random selection within each category.
Stratified sample
Randomly sample within population strata in appropriate proportions.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
What is opportunity sampling?
What is a strength of opportunity sampling?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
What is Pass Harbor?
Completely free exam prep for 247 UK exams.
- Practice questions
- Flashcards
- Study guides
- Mock exams
- No registration
- No paywall
- Start instantly
“No more expensive exam prep. Quality study tools should be accessible to everyone.”