Identify the common group used in psychological research as a convenience sample, describe how researchers form this sample, and state the primary drawback of using this specific group of participants.
Question: Identify the common group used in psychological research as a convenience sample, describe how researchers form this sample, and state the primary drawback of using this specific group of participants.
Sample answer: A frequent application of convenience sampling in psychological research involves using introductory psychology students. Researchers form this sample entirely from individuals who happen to be physically nearby and are readily willing to participate. The primary drawback of this method is that these students might not accurately represent the broader population, making it problematic to generalize the research findings.
Key points:
- Introductory psychology students are frequently used as a convenience sample.
- The sample is formed from individuals who are physically nearby and readily willing to participate.
- A major drawback is that these students may not accurately represent the broader population.
- It is problematic to generalize the research findings because of this lack of representativeness.
Rubric: Grading criteria: 1) Correctly identifies introductory psychology students as the common convenience sample group. 2) Explains that the sample is formed from individuals who are physically nearby and readily willing to participate. 3) Identifies the primary drawback as the lack of representation of the broader population, which makes generalizing findings problematic.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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