ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF SAMPLING TECHNIQUES IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Abstract

It is difficult if not impossible to study all the elements in a given research population due to shortage of time, lack of adequate resources and energy. It is therefore, instructive to select a segment of the research population that can be most representative. However, it has been a subject of heated debate on whether probability sampling or non-probability sampling can guarantee 100% representativeness of sample size in given research population. Therefore, this paper examines the use of sampling techniques in the conduct of academic research. The objective of the study is to determine the suitability of the uses of probability or non-probability sampling techniques in arriving the sample size in a given research population. A documentary method of data collection in the form of content analysis of empirical data, journal publications, textbooks and projects obtained from the library and internet sources was adopted as research methodology. Also, 2 completed undergraduate and postgraduate research works were selected as specimens for critical analysis. The research findings revealed that researchers who are supposed to demonstrate the mastery of sampling techniques practically end up defining the concept based on the opinions of various scholars in the field without adopting appropriate sampling techniques. Also, most investigators failed to adopt the right sampling techniques that are capable of addressing the stated research problem or determine the target population and the nature of data collection/ analysis of instruments. Similarly, many do not know, when and why a particular sampling technique is suitable for a particular study. The study recommended that researchers should not only study to acquire knowledge on the meaning, types and procedures for the adoption of a sampling technique but they must make frantic efforts to know why, how and when a particular method is the most appropriate for a given study.