The sampling strategy that you select in your dissertation should naturally flow from your chosen research design and research methods, as well as taking into account issues of research ethics. To set the sampling strategy that you will use in your dissertation, you need to follow three steps: (a) understand the key terms and basic principles; (b) determine which sampling technique you will use to select the units that will make up your sample; and (c) consider the practicalities of choosing such a sampling strategy for your dissertation (e.g., what time you have available, what access you have, etc.).
In Sampling: The basics, we including terms such as units/cases/objects, sample, sampling frame, population, sample size, random sampling, sampling bias, amongst other terms. If you are already confident that you understand these basic principles of sampling, we introduce you to the two major groups of sampling techniques that you could use to select the units that you will include in your sample:
Probability sampling techniques, which include simple random sampling, systematic random sampling and stratified random sampling.
Non-probability sampling, which include quota sampling, self-selection sampling, convenience sampling, snowball sampling and purposive sampling.
We explain what each of these types of sampling technique are, how to create them, and their advantages and disadvantages. If there is more about sampling that you would like to know about, please leave feedback. Alternately, click on the articles below: