Eitodennäköisyysnäytteistykselle

Eitodennäköisyysnäytteistykselle is a Finnish term that translates to "non-probability sampling." It refers to a sampling method where the selection of participants for a study is not based on random chance. Instead, the researcher uses their judgment or convenience to choose individuals from the population. This means that every member of the population does not have an equal or known chance of being included in the sample.

There are several types of non-probability sampling. Convenience sampling involves selecting individuals who are readily available and easy to access. Purposive sampling, also known as judgmental sampling, involves the researcher deliberately choosing participants who they believe will be most representative of the population or possess specific characteristics relevant to the study. Quota sampling aims to create a sample that reflects the proportions of certain characteristics in the population, but the selection within those quotas is not random. Snowball sampling is used when the population is difficult to identify or access, and existing participants help recruit new ones.

While non-probability sampling methods are often quicker and less expensive to implement than probability sampling, they have limitations. The primary drawback is that they do not allow for the generalization of findings to the entire population with a known degree of confidence. This is because the non-random selection process can introduce selection bias, where the sample may not accurately represent the characteristics of the population. Therefore, research using non-probability sampling often has lower external validity.