Convenience Sampling Definition

CONVENIENCE SAMPLING
DEFINITION:
 Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where subjects are

selected because of their convenient accessibility and proximity to the researcher.
 Convenience sampling is a type of sampling where the first available primary data
source will be used for the research without additional requirements. In other
words, this sampling method involves getting participants wherever you can find
them and typically wherever is convenient. In convenience sampling no inclusion
criteria identified prior to the selection of subjects. All subjects are invited to
participate.
 This type of sampling is also known as grab sampling or availability sampling and
it is most useful for pilot testing. A pilot study, by the way, is a small scale
preliminary study conducted in order to evaluate feasibility, duration, cost, adverse
events, and improve upon the study design prior to performance of a full-scale
research project. Convenience sample is usually used here because it allows the
researcher to obtain basic data and trends regarding his study without the
complications of using a randomized sample.
RATIONALE:
 In all forms of research, it would be ideal to test the entire population, but in most
cases, the population is just too large that it is impossible to include every
individual. This is the reason why most researchers rely on sampling techniques
like convenience sampling, the most common of all sampling techniques. Many
researchers prefer this sampling technique because it is fast, inexpensive, easy
and the subjects are readily available.
APPLICATIONS:
 Convenience sampling is not often recommended for research due to the

possibility of sampling error and lack of representation of population but it can be
handy depending on the situation. In some situations, convenience sampling is the
only possible option.
 For example, a college student who is doing a term project and wants to know the
average consumption of coke in that college town on Friday night will most
probably call some of his friends and ask them how many cans of coke they drink,
or go to a nearby party to do an easy survey.
 There is always a trade-off between this method of quick sampling and accuracy.
Collected samples may not represent the population of interest and therefore be a
source of bias.
 Convenience sampling is also applied by brands and organizations to measure
their perception of their image in the market. Data is collected from potential
customers to understand specific issues or manage opinions of a newly launched
product.
EXAMPLES:
 Another example would be a gaming company that wants to know how one of their
games is doing in the market one day after its release. Its analyst may choose to
create an online survey on Facebook to rate that game. The major challenge of
this approach will be reaching to the people who play games. As social media is a
vast place, it's always difficult to collect samples from the population of interest.
Most people may not be interested or take the survey seriously while completing it,
which results in sampling error. The survey may be improved greatly if the analyst
posts it to fan pages dedicated to game-lovers. He may find a lot more people in
that group who would be inclined to judge and rate the game critically.
 Pepsi Challenge’ marketing campaign can be referred to as a relevant example for
this sampling method. ‘Pepsi Challenge’ is occasionally held in large shopping
centres and other crowded locations and all members of population are invited to
participate in the contest without any discrimination.
ADVANTAGES:
1. Availability of Data
Based from the name itself, it can be attained on a convenient manner. In fact, subjects
for this type of study can be just within the researcher. So the researcher doesn’t need to
do extra effort to gather data elsewhere.
2. Saves Precious Time
This technique would enable the gathering of data in a much shorter time compared to
other methods. This is because it doesn’t need to acquire an exhaustive research for the
whole population. This method will only be given to a handful of people that are easily
approachable.
3. Saves Previous Money

If you are going to conduct research, it normally requires you to spend a great deal of
money to do it. With this option though, you can just collect data with the use of sampling
technique. This is a great alternative when funding is not yet available.
4. Useful for Pilot Studies
The technique used in convenience sampling will allow the gathering of primary data
regarding the topic. Such findings can be used as pointers and should help in the
decision for further action.
DIASDVANTAGES:
1. Possible Bias in Data Gathering
This method can get the views of a specific group of people and not the whole population.
Hence, if some groups are over-represented or under-represented, this can affect the
quality of data being gathered.
2. Possibility of Sampling Error
Since the selection process is already biased, there are inaccuracies that are bound to
set in. This type of discrepancy is known as sampling error.
3. No Generalized Results
Using this method will lead to the difficulty of acquiring generalized conclusions that have
been drawn from the research. This is because it is not possible to draw conclusions just
by simply what a biased sample say. Most of all, it is not possible to formulate laws or
rules, but identifying trends is. Likewise, it is not reliable to make a statement based on
the misrepresentation of data from a chosen group of people alone.
SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convenience_sampling#Applications
https://www.questionpro.com/blog/convenience-sampling/
https://explorable.com/convenience-sampling
https://research-methodology.net/sampling-in-primary-data-collection/convenience-
sampling/
https://greengarageblog.org/7-pros-and-cons-of-convenience-sampling

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of convenience sampling?

What are some examples of when convenience sampling could be used?

CONVENIENCE SAMPLING

 Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where subjects are

 Convenience sampling is not often recommended for research due to the

2. Saves Precious Time

3. Saves Previous Money

4. Useful for Pilot Studies

1. Possible Bias in Data Gathering

2. Possibility of Sampling Error

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