Question 1: Define 'random sampling' and explain why it might be used in a psychological study.

Answer: Random sampling is a method where every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected. It is used to ensure that the sample is representative of the entire population, reducing bias.

Question 2: Describe a situation where opportunity sampling might be used in a psychology experiment.

Answer: Opportunity sampling involves selecting participants who are readily available. For example, a psychologist testing students in their school might choose students who are present in the school at the time.

Question 3: Identify and differentiate between 'stratified sampling' and 'quota sampling'.

Answer: Stratified sampling divides the population into subgroups (strata) based on key characteristics and randomly samples from each. Quota sampling involves selecting participants to match certain characteristics but does not use random selection within those groups.

Question 4: Explain why sampling methods are important in psychological research.

Answer: Sampling methods are important because they determine how representative the sample is of the entire population, which affects the validity and generalisability of the research results.

Question 5: Imagine you are conducting a survey on students' music preferences in your school. Which sampling method would be easiest to use and why?

Answer: Opportunity sampling would be easiest because I could ask students who are available in the school at the time, such as during break or lunch.

Question 6: Draw a simple diagram illustrating a basic sampling process, including the steps from defining the population to selecting the sample.

Answer: A diagram showing a large circle labeled 'Population', an arrow pointing to a smaller circle labeled 'Sample', with steps in between such as 'Define population', 'Choose sampling method', 'Select participants'.

Question 7: A researcher wants to study the eating habits of teenagers in a city. They decide to use stratified sampling. Describe how they might do this.

Answer: The researcher would divide teenagers into groups based on characteristics such as age, gender, or school year, then randomly select participants from each group proportionally to their size in the population.

Question 8: What is a potential disadvantage of using quota sampling?

Answer: Quota sampling may introduce bias because the researcher selects participants based on convenience or judgment, not randomly, which can affect the representativeness.

Question 9: Sketch a diagram showing the difference between random sampling and opportunity sampling.

Answer: A sketch with two parts: one showing a large circle labeled 'Population' with arrows pointing to randomly selected dots for 'Random Sampling', and another showing a smaller group of available participants with arrows pointing to selected individuals for 'Opportunity Sampling'.

Question 10: Explain how a researcher might ensure their sample is representative when using stratified sampling.

Answer: The researcher would identify key subgroups in the population, determine their proportions, and then randomly select participants from each subgroup in proportion to their size in the population.