Mukavuusnäytteistys

Mukavuusnäytteistys, sometimes translated as convenience sampling or accidental sampling, is a non-probability sampling technique. It is a method of selecting participants for a study based on their convenient availability and proximity to the researcher. Instead of employing random selection methods to ensure a representative sample of a larger population, researchers using convenience sampling choose individuals who are easily accessible and willing to participate.

This approach is often utilized in exploratory research or when time and resources are limited. For example, a researcher might survey students in a specific university class or interview people passing by on a busy street. The ease of access makes data collection quick and cost-effective.

However, mukavuusnäytteistys has significant limitations. The primary drawback is that the sample is unlikely to be representative of the target population. The individuals selected may possess characteristics that differ systematically from those not chosen, leading to biased results and potentially inaccurate generalizations. Therefore, findings derived from convenience samples should be interpreted with caution, and their external validity is often questionable. Despite its limitations, it remains a practical method for preliminary investigations or when probability sampling is not feasible.