Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling method, in which the sample is collected from a group of people who can be easily contacted or approached. E.g., standing at a shopping mall and asking random people to answer some questions. Convenience sampling is also called grab sampling, accidental sampling or opportunity sampling, or availability sampling. The only criteria involved in this method is that the people are available and willing to take part. Convenience sampling does not need a random sample.
In inconvenience sampling, the individuals are not strategically selected. It is very convenient and helps complete tasks even at the last minute by choosing random people for a survey or study. Convenience sampling reflects one of the possible results of research and not the whole population. It involves no monetization methods and enables fast research. It is a straightforward going sampling method, particularly while considering a vast population. This makes convenience sampling exciting and authentic.
The process of convenience sample depends on the process followed and the purpose of the task. The three steps involved in convenience sampling are as follows:
1. Collecting samples: The first step involved in convenience sampling is to collect samples. You can research, collect samples and then preserve them.
2. Repeat with other samples: On the following day, samples are collected again for the same task but from a different batch of individuals. This provides us with more data and there is a high probability of obtaining an exact solution to the problem by finding similar results.
3. Validate the data: Lastly, analyze both the collected samples individually and validate them to conclude. Multiple data help determine or remove the various common and fluctuating factors.
• Speedy data collection: Convenience sampling helps collect data easily and start calculations. It is very helpful in time-sensitive research as it requires little preparation to collect data. It is mostly used in pilot data collection to obtain a quick idea of the trends and also to develop hypotheses for future references. It also helps researchers and scientists cut off the growing trends, and derive general information from local public opinion.
• Samples can be created with less cost: Other probability sampling methods demand a quite large amount of money as well as time as compared to convenience sampling. On the other hand, convenience sampling helps researchers collect more samples with little investment and in a short span of time.
• Easy researching: In case you are not looking for an exact sampling, you can collect information and carry on with other aspects of the research. This kind of sampling can be performed by creating a set of questions and then distributing it to the targeted batch of people. This helps easily collect data within hours, without worrying if the collected data accurately represents the population. This helps researchers emphasize analyzing the data instead of interviewing and selecting participants.
• Ready availability of data: In convenience sampling, the data is easily available for the researchers to collect because it is collected with an on-hand population. Usually, researchers do not have to travel much for data collection and can collect from their nearby environment. The ready availability of data is vital for meeting the quotas quickly and helps conduct multiple studies.
• Cost-effective: Convenience sampling helps distribute funds to another aspect of the study. It also helps gain funding for bigger and more thorough research. In such cases, funds cannot be made available for the whole survey, thus a random section of the population is quickly selected to represent the purpose of the entire project.
• Lesser rules and regulations: Convenience sampling does not require you to go through a checklist in order to filter the population. It eases the collection of critical information and makes the data uncomplicated.
• No exact results: Convenience sampling is easy; however, it is not the best method of study or research. It gives biased outcomes and does not even cover the whole population. Also, the samples are gathered from a few individuals, which can never be considered as an accurate answer for any study or research. Bias makes the whole research or study ineffective.
The most effective solution to deal with this bias problem is to use convenience sampling along with probability sampling. The latter gets the measurement parameter to keep the sampling bias under check.
Researchers often use both convenience sampling methods and probability sampling methods to gain more accurate results. The probability used must be powerful enough to reduce the bias. Thus, probability sampling helps reduce biasing in convenience sampling.
• Difficult to convince: Convenience sampling is completely based on human results; thus, it is not so easy to convince individuals to promote this. Individuals often deny taking part in this due to a lack of time and trust. Thus, it may take a lot of time to find the right people and convince them to participate in the survey.
• Unexpected representation of population: We have already discussed how the outcomes of convenience sampling can be biased. In addition to that, often, the outcomes of the research are either the over or under-representation of the population.
Tips for effectively analyzing Convenience sampling
As we have already discussed, you can use probability sampling along with convenience sampling to obtain better results. However, if this is not possible, follow the tips discussed below to obtain efficient results:
• Collect multiple samples. It can help produce valid results.
• Re-conduct the survey to make sure that the results accurately represent the target population.
• In case the sample size is too large, you can use the cross-validation method for one-half of the data. You can then compare the results from both halves to determine whether the result is a match.
The convenience sampling method has been in practice for years and will continue to be so in the future. Every sampling method has its own pros and cons. However, the cons of convenience sampling are less significant when compared to other methods. Overall, the convenience sampling method is convenient, provides quick results, and is cost-efficient.
With the convenience sampling method, you need to define how your sample differs from an ideal sample that is selected at random. You must also describe the individuals who were excluded from the research or those over-represented.Order Now