Purposive sampling

How it is used

State why selected cases can inform the research question.

Example sentences

1. We used purposive sampling to interview teachers with experience in rural schools.

   Relevant experience is the selection criterion.

2. The review questioned our purposive sampling because the selection criteria were unclear.

   Deliberate selection still requires a clear justification.

Common collocations

• use purposive sampling
• purposive sampling strategy

Related terms

• sampling methodThe procedure used to choose cases, people, or items from a larger group for a study.
• research questionA clear, focused question that a study is designed to answer; it guides the choice of methods, data and analysis.

More terms: Research Design

• research
• hypothesis
• methodology
• qualitative
• quantitative
• sample
• participant
• questionnaire
• case study
• carry out
• validity
• reliability