A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What is one disadvantage of opportunity sampling in research?

1. It ensures a random selection of participants

2. It is a time-consuming process

3. It guarantees a representative sample

4. It requires less planning compared to random sampling

The correct answer is: It is a time-consuming process

Opportunity sampling involves selecting participants who are readily available and accessible to the researcher, which can indeed lead to certain disadvantages. One significant drawback of this method is that it often results in a sample that may not accurately reflect the broader population. This limitation can subsequently impact the generalizability of the research findings. In this context, while it may seem efficient at first glance, opportunity sampling can actually lead to biases, as the sample may be skewed towards certain characteristics of the population that the researcher can easily access—such as time, location, or circumstances. Unlike random sampling, which aims to provide a more representative cross-section of the population, opportunity sampling typically does not require extensive planning and random selection processes. Though this ease of execution is often viewed as an advantage, it ties directly into the disadvantages of less rigor in the sampling strategy, potentially compromising the overall validity of the study. The fact that it may seem time-saving actually means that researchers need to be cautious about the implications of their sampling method on the quality of their findings.