Question 1: Define the term 'sampling' in the context of sociological research.

Answer: Sampling is the process of selecting a subset of individuals or groups from a larger population to participate in a study, in order to make inferences about the whole population.

Question 2: Name two different types of sampling methods commonly used in sociology.

Answer: Random sampling and stratified sampling.

Question 3: Explain how random sampling works and give one advantage of using it.

Answer: Random sampling involves selecting participants entirely by chance, giving each member of the population an equal chance of being chosen. An advantage is that it reduces selection bias, making the sample more representative of the population.

Question 4: Describe what stratified sampling involves and why it might be used.

Answer: Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into subgroups or 'strata' based on specific characteristics (e.g., age, gender), then randomly selecting from each subgroup proportionally. It is used to ensure representation of all key groups within the sample.

Question 5: Imagine you want to survey students in a school about their favorite subjects. Describe how you could use systematic sampling.

Answer: Systematic sampling involves selecting every nth student from a list of all students, starting from a randomly chosen point. For example, if there are 500 students and you want a sample of 50, you could select every 10th student after choosing a random starting point between 1 and 10.

Question 6: What is a potential problem with using voluntary response sampling?

Answer: Voluntary response sampling can lead to bias because only those with strong opinions or interest are likely to participate, making the sample unrepresentative of the entire population.

Question 7: Draw a simple diagram showing how a stratified sampling process might be organized. Label the key parts of your diagram.

Answer: A diagram with a large rectangle representing the population, divided into smaller sections labeled 'Age groups', 'Gender', etc. arrows show random selection from each subgroup, with labels indicating 'Strata' and 'Sample'.

Question 8: Sketch a diagram illustrating the steps involved in simple random sampling.

Answer: A diagram showing a large circle or rectangle representing the population, a random selection of dots or marks indicating chosen individuals, with arrows pointing to a smaller circle or box labeled 'Sample'.

Question 9: Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of cluster sampling.

Answer: Advantage: It is often quicker and cheaper, especially when the population is spread out geographically. Disadvantage: It may lead to less representative samples if clusters are not diverse.

Question 10: Why is it important for sociologists to choose an appropriate sampling method?

Answer: Choosing the right sampling method helps ensure that the sample accurately reflects the larger population, making the research findings valid and reliable.