mittetõenäosuslikud

Mittetõenäosuslikud is an Estonian term that translates to "non-probability" in English. It is primarily used in the context of sampling methods within research and statistics. Non-probability sampling refers to techniques where the selection of participants is not based on random chance. Instead, the researcher relies on subjective judgment or convenience to choose the sample.

This contrasts with probability sampling, where every member of the population has a known, non-zero chance of being selected. Non-probability sampling methods are often employed when random sampling is impractical, too expensive, or not the primary goal of the research. Examples include convenience sampling, snowball sampling, quota sampling, and purposive sampling.

The main drawback of non-probability sampling is that it can introduce selection bias, making it difficult to generalize the findings to the broader population. The sample may not be representative, and the results may not accurately reflect the characteristics of the target group. However, these methods can be useful for exploratory research, pilot studies, or when specific, hard-to-reach populations are being studied, and a high degree of statistical generalizability is not required. Researchers using non-probability sampling must be transparent about their methods and acknowledge the limitations of their study's generalizability.