Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIntroduction to Convenience SamplingAdvantagesDisadvantagesHow to Conduct Convenience SamplingCases of Convenience Sampling in Various FieldsComparison With Other Sampling MethodsWhen to Use Convenience Sampling
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Introduction to Convenience Sampling
Advantages
Disadvantages
How to Conduct Convenience Sampling
Cases of Convenience Sampling in Various Fields
Comparison With Other Sampling Methods
When to Use Convenience Sampling
Close
When conductingpsychology research, rolling out a survey for academic purposes or collectingsamplesfor practical scenarios, there are different approaches to doing this. One of the ways is through convenience sampling.
As the term describes, it means collecting samples from those who are the most conveniently accessible.This article provides a detailed understanding of convenience sampling, how it compares to other sampling methods, steps to conduct convenience sampling and tips on how to decide the best approach for your needs.
Convenience sampling (also known as opportunity sampling or grab sampling) is one of the most common methods to get participants forsurveysor research studies.It is a non-probability sampling method.
“This means that a researcher collects data from the most convenient sample available,” explainsDr. Hong-hui Lin, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director and Founder ofThe Psychology Atelier.
For instance, when you are surfing a website and are asked to take a questionnaire, you are considered a convenient sample to collect data for a survey.
Advantages of Convenience Sampling
There are some advantages of convenience sampling:
Quick and Easy
If you have a short deadline and time is of the essence, convenience sampling can be performed quickly without much effort. Dr. Lin explains that it gives the researcher the opportunity to collect large amounts of data within a short period of time, such as through online surveys.
Suitable for Preliminary Research
Dr. Lin shared that this method provides samples that are readily available which makes it easy for researchers to test out ideas in pilot studies before launching more formal studies.
Little to No Cost
Convenience sampling is inexpensive. It can be conducted without any financial costs in some cases. A survey can be sent online which requires no travel.
Disadvantages of Convenience Sampling
The main disadvantage of convenience sampling is that the participants are not selectedrandomlywhich means that participants do not have an equal chance of being selected in the sample.
Bias
Bias can occur using this method due to the lack of randomization.
Results Not Generalizable
Without randomly selected samples, some groups in the population could be over or under-represented, biasing the data collected and results.Dr. Lin advises that the results of the study will not be generalizable to the whole population and could lack credibility in the research field.
Here are some steps to conduct convenience sampling:
Cases of Convenience Sampling in Various Fields
Convenience sampling is a way to collect data and it isn’t just applied in the health and clinical research field:
Comparison of Convenience Sampling with Other Sampling Methods
Non-probability sampling (which includes convenience sampling) and probability sampling are two main types of sampling methods.The key difference between these two methods is that one does not require randomization in selecting samples and the other does.
Non-Probability Sampling
Non-probability sampling methods refer to situations where a researcher intentionally chooses certain individuals to be in a research sample based on the research objectives.
“[I]n convenience sampling, a researcher chooses the sample based on their availability and convenience. There are not many rules to follow,” said Dr. Lin.
As randomization is not used, individuals in a population do not have an equal chance of being represented in the sample. The survey results are thus biased and cannot be generalized to the rest of the population.
Other non-probability sampling methods include the following:
Probability Sampling
Probability sampling methods involve using randomization to identify individuals for a sample. Randomization may take place in different ways.
Dr. Lin shared that the most simple version involves anonymising the population with numerical identifiers and then picking the numbers at random.
Other methods include the following:
If your research is a pilot study, in the preliminary stage of research, targets an inaccessible population and you have limited time and a lack of financial and human resources, it may be appropriate to use convenience sampling
Dr. Lin emphasized that the most important thing to do when deciding on a sampling method is to think through the rationale of your research question and then pick the most fitting sampling method to serve the purpose.
Dr. Lin advises that in any research study/survey, the sampling method and its limitations should be made known transparently so that the results shared will not be misleading.
3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stratton SJ.Population research: convenience sampling strategies.Prehosp Disaster med. 2021;36(4):373–374.Andrade C.The inconvenient truth about convenience and purposive samples.Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2021;43(1):86–88.Elfil M, Negida A.Sampling methods in clinical research; an educational review.Emerg (Tehran). 2017;5(1):e52.
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stratton SJ.Population research: convenience sampling strategies.Prehosp Disaster med. 2021;36(4):373–374.Andrade C.The inconvenient truth about convenience and purposive samples.Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2021;43(1):86–88.Elfil M, Negida A.Sampling methods in clinical research; an educational review.Emerg (Tehran). 2017;5(1):e52.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stratton SJ.Population research: convenience sampling strategies.Prehosp Disaster med. 2021;36(4):373–374.Andrade C.The inconvenient truth about convenience and purposive samples.Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2021;43(1):86–88.Elfil M, Negida A.Sampling methods in clinical research; an educational review.Emerg (Tehran). 2017;5(1):e52.
Stratton SJ.Population research: convenience sampling strategies.Prehosp Disaster med. 2021;36(4):373–374.
Andrade C.The inconvenient truth about convenience and purposive samples.Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2021;43(1):86–88.
Elfil M, Negida A.Sampling methods in clinical research; an educational review.Emerg (Tehran). 2017;5(1):e52.
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