Sampling and Access

Sampling is the process of selecting a subset of individuals or cases from a larger population for study. Because it is almost never possible to study every member of a population, sociologists must select a sample that (ideally) represents the wider population from which it is drawn. The way a sample is selected has profound implications for the reliability, validity, and generalisability of research findings. Closely linked to sampling is the issue of access — how the researcher gains entry to the group or setting they wish to study.

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Key Terminology

Before examining specific sampling techniques, it is important to understand several key terms: