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Academic research is a multi-stepped process that needs students to be directly involved in a number of tasks to achieve the research aims and objectives. Each step demands a different set of skills from researchers. For example, for the selection of a good topic of interest, a student must have a bird’s eye view to see things. For collecting data to prove a claim, they must have proper knowledge about the different processes of collecting and sampling data. Likewise, to extract a conclusion, one must need abilities to observe hidden patterns in the widely scattered data or to make a scientific story stating useful insights about the topic. In this article, we will describe all useful information about the importance of convenience sampling in academic research so students can best take help from this method to reach a specific set of conclusions.
What Is Convenience Sampling?
By dividing the term convenience sampling, we will have two terms, ‘convenience’ and ‘sampling’. The term sampling simply refers to selecting a specific number of individuals from a large population that can represent the whole population as best as possible. On the other hand, convenience means the state of being able to proceed with a process without feeling stressed. Thus, in this regard, the conventional method of sampling is the process that researchers use to collect data from a conveniently available pool of participants. It is one of the widely used types of sampling as it gives flexibility to researchers to collect data from an individual that they can reach within no time. It is a relatively easy and economic type of sampling.
Importance Of Sampling:
Researchers use a number of sampling techniques for collecting data for academic research. Sampling is necessary as it becomes almost impossible for researchers to collect data from almost all the members of a population. Collecting data from each and every member of a population will impose an unmanageable challenge on academic researchers, so keeping in mind the research goals’ the researcher use sampling techniques.
Different types of sampling help researchers fulfil certain research criteria. Broadly, sampling can be done in five common ways: random, cluster, systematic, stratified, and convenience. Each of these types of sampling is named after its working principle.
- In random sampling, participants are selected randomly so each and every member of a population will have an equal likelihood to participate.
- In systematic sampling, all members’ names are used to make a list, and the members who will be participated are selected based on certain regular intervals.
- In stratified sampling, participants are divided into sub-groups and allowed to participate in a study based on the remarkable differences between them.
- In cluster sampling, we divide the whole population into different subgroups and some representatives from each group are selected to participate in a study.
- In the conventional method of sampling, participants are selected without taking any particular characteristics into consideration.
Thus, each type of sampling has its own rules to follow and can only be used to collect a certain type of data. The easiest method in all these above-mentioned types is convenience sampling. To know more about different types of sampling, you can search for online databases and buy assignment online for guidance. Let’s see why it is an important and easy method for collecting data for academic research:
Importance Of Convenience Sampling:
The convenience method of sampling is important for conducting academic research for various reasons. Basically, it helps a researcher to give generalized results that can benefit a large population. For example, if a marketing student wants to know what a nation wants to see in the upcoming model of mouse. In this case, it is not necessary to consider the age, qualification, or gender of people participating in a study. In such cases, a brand must only listen to a nation’s voice to devise a mouse that may get positive feedback. Thus, it is no other convenience sampling that may help students in achieving such research goals.
Also Read: What Are The Five Effective Ways Of Collecting Data For Research?
Additional Benefits Of Using Convenience Sampling In Academic Research:
The following are some other benefits that research students must know before selecting a convenience method of sampling for achieving certain research goals:
Collects Data In A Fraction Of Time:
Academic researcher mostly runs out of time, or they have to complete research within the suggested period of time. In such cases, selecting sampling techniques that need many months only in the planning phase is a bit unwise decision. Thus, the best way is to select the convenience method of sampling as it takes a little time for planning.
Feels Light To Pocket:
Academic researches differ greatly from commercial research. Commercially, researchers have funds and time to achieve certain goals with any method of sampling. However, the case is not the same for students as well. Students always remain in search of some economic methods of research, and the convenience method of sampling is the cheapest of all. Thus, being light to the pocket is the quality that makes this method an ideal option for students conducting academic research.
Easily Manageable:
Data analysis seems difficult when you have to collect data from widely selected participants. In the case of qualitative data analysis, theming and coding become difficult by using any other method of sampling. However, data collected by convenience sampling method does not put the researcher into any difficulty; rather, it is convenient in the true sense.
Fewer Rules To Follow:
There are only a few rules for conducting sampling by using convenience method. Rather, you just need to select a broad category of participants, such as physicians, if you want to collect medical information and decide on a setting. After deciding on the setting and participants, you only need to contact them to collect data. Thus, it saves participants from categorizing data into groups and sub-groups and can be performed by following only a few rules.
Final Thoughts:
After all is said and done, we are in a position to say that convenience sampling is a method of data collection that is popular due to the flexibility it offers to researchers. It is easy to conduct, economical, and gives generalized results. However, you cannot use it to achieve any aims; you must decide on it as your sampling method if your researcher’s main objective allows you to opt for it.
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