Volunteer Samples

Definition

Volunteer samples refer to a type of sampling method where individuals self-select to participate in a study or survey. It is not a random sample and may introduce bias into the results.

Analogy

Imagine you're hosting a party and you ask for volunteers to help with the preparations. The people who choose to volunteer may not represent the entire group of potential helpers, just like volunteer samples may not represent the entire population being studied.

Related terms

Convenience Samples: Convenience samples are another non-random sampling method where individuals are selected based on their easy accessibility or availability. This can also introduce bias into the results.

Random Samples: Random samples involve selecting individuals from a population randomly, ensuring that every member has an equal chance of being chosen. This helps reduce bias and increase generalizability.

Sampling Bias: Sampling bias occurs when certain groups within a population are overrepresented or underrepresented in a sample, leading to inaccurate conclusions about the entire population.