Sampling v. scale in the internet age: An investigation of the tension between convenience sampling, response rates, probability, and coverage

Philip Garland

This short paper investigates whether a volume-based approach to collecting opinions is a reasonable substitute for probability sampling.

Sampling v. scale in the internet age: An investigation of the tension between convenience sampling, response rates, probability, and coverage

Philip GarlandSurveymonkey

Since the inception of rigorous survey work, researchers have been forced—by time and budget constraints—to rely on a slew of sampling methods to estimate population parameters. Sampling is, of course, faster and cheaper than interviewing an entire population of any size, regardless of its possible pitfalls. However, the frames have to a) have nearly 100% coverage of the population of interest and b) ensure an equal chance of selection for each member, and c) feature a reasonable...

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