I am targeting one group of unknown size of population (who engaged in some deviant behaviour). My unit of analysis is all active PhD and Doctoral students in Malaysian Public and Private Universities
An online version of questionnaire was distributed to WhatsApp groups of PhD students in Malaysian Universities as well as to the Centre of Graduate Studies (CGS) in Malaysian Universities. The students and CGS shared the online questionnaire to their PhD networks in Malaysia.
I also shared the online questionnaire to all my friends in various Malaysian universities who are supervising PhD students. They shared the questionnaire to all their PhD supervisees and the supervisees then shared the questionnaire to their networks as well.
Based on the above situation,
1. Is that correct my sampling above should be non-probability because the sampling size and frame is unknown?
2. What is/are the suitable sampling method/s to the above situation? Anyone can clarify and help?
3. If there are two or more sampling methods involved, what is the suitable methodological term to represent this combination?
Please advise. Thanks in advance all fellow researchers.
Regards
Cikgu Arman
Kuala Lumpur
There are two major types of sampling- probability sampling which is also known as random sampling. This type of sampling is used when the size of the universe or population is known. Under this, there are several techniques such as simple random sampling through lottery method, using random number tables, stratified random sampling, cluster sampling, etc.
What you have adopted is the other type of sampling called- non- probability sampling which is also known as non-random sampling. This is used when the size of the universe is unknown. Under this, there are many techniques such as convenience sampling, purposive sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling ,etc.
You stated "They shared the questionnaire to all their PhD supervisees and the supervisees then shared the questionnaire to their networks as well"
This is a feature of snowball sampling technique (non-random sampling) wherein one respondent passes on the questionnaire to the next potential respondents.
As fas as the question about the best sampling technique is concerned, it really depends on the context. If you know the size of the universe, then random sampling is ideal but when you are dealing with a difficult to reach population, non-random sampling is appropriate.
The question you need to ask yourself is- are phd supervisors and scholars a difficult population to estimate and reach? If the answer is yes, then opt for any of the non-probability sampling techniques. If the answer is no- then identify the size of the population and opt for any of the random sampling techniques.
If i get you clearly there was a point you used Snowball sampling; where other respondents share to their network of same characteristics respondents.
Can we also say you used purposive sampling?
Could we also say you used purposeive sampli
ils sagit de quelle type d'insecte ? vous êtes dans quelle pays ?
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