Definition:

Purposive Sampling

Purpose:

To select participants or cases for a research study based on specific criteria that align with the research objectives and goals.

Methodology:

Purposive sampling, also known as judgmental or selective sampling, involves handpicking individuals, groups, or cases that possess the desired characteristics or have special knowledge to provide valuable insights in addressing the research questions.

Criteria Selection:

Researchers use predetermined criteria such as expertise, experience, relevance, uniqueness, or representativeness to identify and select suitable participants or cases for inclusion in the research sample.

Subjectivity:

Purposive sampling relies on the researcher’s judgment and expertise in determining which individuals or cases are most appropriate for the study while considering the research objectives and constraints.

Advantages:

• Allows researchers to select participants who possess specialized knowledge or unique characteristics relevant to the research.
• Helps in targeting specific research subgroups or phenomena that are challenging to find, making the sample more representative of the desired population.
• Offers a time-efficient and cost-effective approach compared to random sampling methods.
• Enables researchers to gain in-depth insights and rich qualitative data, particularly in exploratory studies.

Disadvantages:

• Subjective selection may introduce bias and limit the generalizability of the findings.
• Researchers may face challenges in finding participants who meet the desired criteria, potentially affecting the sample size and research outcomes.
• Difficulty in replicating studies due to the lack of transparency in participant selection procedures.
• Prone to the researcher’s personal preferences, which may bias the sample and results.