Sampling Section
Curtin University guidance distinguishes probability-oriented quantitative sampling from typically purposeful qualitative sampling and emphasizes that sampling choices depend on the research design and question. Probability, convenience, purposive, theoretical, snowball, and other sampling strategies support different goals; do not present one approach as universally required.
A Sampling section explains how the study selected participants, cases, records, or other units from the relevant population and why that selection approach fits the study.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Probability, convenience, purposive, theoretical, snowball, and other sampling strategies support different goals; do not present one approach as universally required.
Further guidance
Content
Name the sampling approach accurately, describe the selection or recruitment process, and report sample-size reasoning or eligibility criteria when they are relevant to the design.
Practical Application
Name the sampling or recruitment approach, identify the population or sampling frame, describe how units were selected, and give eligibility or sample-size reasoning when relevant.
Purpose
A Sampling section explains how the study selected participants, cases, records, or other units from the relevant population and why that selection approach fits the study.
Reader Check
Could another reader understand how cases entered the study and why that selection method fits the research design?
Worked Example
Example: “We used purposive sampling to recruit nurses with at least two years of emergency-department experience from three hospitals.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Sampling — Quantitative methods (opens in a new tab)Curtin University Library · University research-methods guidance on target populations, samples, probability sampling, and sample-size considerations in quantitative research.
- Sampling — Qualitative & mixed methods (opens in a new tab)Curtin University Library · University research-methods guidance on purposeful qualitative sampling and selecting information-rich participants or cases.