A psychologist was interested to conduct a study on gamblers. Identifying the gamblers, even with the help of police, is a challenging task. Which of the following sampling techniques will be more appropriate to take up the study?

Correct option is C

Snowball sampling is a non-probability sampling method commonly used in research involving hidden or hard-to-reach populations, such as gamblers in this case. The researcher begins by identifying a few participants (seeds) and then relies on these participants to refer others within their network.

Information Booster :

1. Snowball Sampling:
• Definition: A sampling technique where existing participants recruit future participants, creating a "chain referral" process.
• Applications:
• Used for populations that are difficult to access, such as gamblers, drug users, or undocumented immigrants.
• Advantages:
• Effective for reaching hidden or stigmatized groups.
• Builds trust, as referrals come from within the community.
• Limitations:
• May not provide a representative sample.
• Susceptible to bias, as participants may only refer those similar to themselves.

Added Information :

1. Quota Sampling (Option 1):
• A non-probability sampling method where the researcher ensures specific subgroups are represented proportionally.
• Not suitable for hidden populations like gamblers, as it requires prior knowledge of subgroup sizes and characteristics.
2. Cluster Sampling (Option 2):
• A probability sampling technique where the population is divided into clusters (e.g., geographic regions) and a random selection of clusters is studied.
• This method works best for large, geographically spread populations, not hidden groups like gamblers.
3. Stratified Sampling (Option 4):
• A probability sampling method where the population is divided into strata (e.g., age, income) and samples are drawn randomly from each stratum.
• It requires prior knowledge of the population structure, which is impractical for hidden groups.