Some research projects will require that you have a stratified sample, but you cannot obtain a probability sample for some reason. Let’s say that you are conducting a study on drug use, education, and recidivism. It would be difficult indeed to get a list of the population of cocaine-using convicts that hold Master’s degrees. A situation like this suggests quota sampling. First, you have to identify how many people you need in the sample with those characteristics. Then, you search everywhere for people that meet the criteria. Once you reach the number that you wanted, you simply stop. You have your sample.
Last Modified: 06/03/2021