2020/12/17 by Chittaranjan Andrade · 12 citations
Computer Science · Health Professions · #Diverse Scientific Research Studies #Educational Management and Quality
paper · pdf · doi:10.1177/0253717620977000
openalex publication_date 2020/12/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Most research is conducted on convenience and purposive samples that may be randomly or nonrandomly drawn. A convenience sample is the one that is drawn from a source that is conveniently accessible to the researcher. A purposive sample is the one whose characteristics are defined for a purpose that is relevant to the study. The findings of a study based on convenience and purposive sampling can only be generalized to the (sub)population from which the sample is drawn and not to the entire population. This article explains the concepts involved with the help of examples of both good and bad sampling practice. Database studies and studies with enriched designs are cited as special examples of convenience and purposive sampling. Issues related to the internal and external validity of convenience and purposive samples are explained. The importance of good sampling techniques in the design and interpretation of research is understated; this must change.