Random sample refers to a survey procedure in which every person in the population being studied has an equal chance of inclusion.
In psychology, a random sample is a sampling technique that involves selecting a subset of individuals or objects from a larger population at random. This means that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, and that the selection of one individual does not influence the selection of another. The purpose of using a random sample is to ensure that the sample is representative of the population from which it is drawn, and to reduce the risk of bias in the sample.
Examples of random samples in psychology research include:
- A researcher studying the prevalence of anxiety in college students randomly selects 500 students from a list of all students enrolled in the college.
- A survey company interested in the opinions of a particular demographic group randomly selects households from a database of all households in the area.
- A psychologist studying the effects of a new therapy for depression randomly selects participants from a list of all patients who have been diagnosed with depression at a particular clinic.
Random samples are widely used in psychology research, as they are considered to be one of the most reliable ways of obtaining a representative sample. They are also used in other fields, such as market research, public opinion polling, and epidemiology.
Similar concepts to random sampling in psychology include:
- Stratified sampling: This involves dividing the population into subgroups, or strata, and then selecting a random sample from each stratum. This can be useful when the population is heterogeneous and the researcher wants to ensure that each subgroup is represented in the sample.
- Cluster sampling: This involves selecting a random sample of groups, or clusters, from the population, and then selecting all individuals within each cluster. This can be useful when it is not feasible to obtain a list of all individuals in the population.
- Convenience sampling: This involves selecting individuals who are readily available or easy to access, such as students in a psychology class or visitors to a website. This type of sampling is generally considered to be less reliable than random sampling, as it can be subject to bias and may not be representative of the population as a whole.
In summary, a random sample is a powerful tool for obtaining a representative sample in psychology research. By ensuring that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, random sampling helps to reduce bias and increase the reliability of research findings. Other similar concepts to random sampling, such as stratified and cluster sampling, can also be useful in certain contexts.