A non-random sample refers to a group of individuals selected in a way that does not ensure every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen. This can introduce bias into the results.
Related terms
Convenience Sample: A convenience sample consists of individuals readily available or easily accessible for research purposes, but it may not accurately represent the larger population.
Purposive Sample: A purposive sample is deliberately chosen based on specific characteristics or criteria relevant to the research question.
Quota Sampling: Quota sampling involves selecting participants based on pre-defined quotas in order to achieve proportional representation from different groups within the population.