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Quota Sampling as an Alternative to Probability Sampling? An Experimental Study

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  • Keming Yang
  • Ahmad Banamah

Abstract

In spite of the establishment of probability sampling methods since the 1930s, non-probability sampling methods have remained popular among many commercial and polling agents, and they have also survived the embarrassment from a few incorrect predictions in American presidential elections. The increase of costs and the decline of response rates for administering probability samples have led some survey researchers to search for a non-probability sampling method as an alternative to probability sampling. In this study we aim to test whether results from a quota sample, believed to be the non-probability sampling method that is the closest in representativeness to probability sampling, are statistically equivalent to those from a probability sample. Further, we pay special attention to the effects of the following two factors for understanding the difference between the two sampling methods: the survey's topic and the response rate. An experimental survey on social capital was conducted in a student society in Northeast England. The results suggest that the survey topic influences who responded and that the response rate was associated with the sample means as well. For these reasons, we do not think quota sampling should be taken as an acceptable alternative to probability sampling.

Suggested Citation

  • Keming Yang & Ahmad Banamah, 2014. "Quota Sampling as an Alternative to Probability Sampling? An Experimental Study," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 19(1), pages 56-66, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:19:y:2014:i:1:p:56-66
    DOI: 10.5153/sro.3199
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    1. Darryl Jeethesh D’souza & Harisha G. Joshi, 2020. "Exploring the Consumers Willingness of Using E-Commerce to Purchase Geographical Indication Based Crops, a Case Study of Udupi Jasmine," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 12(2), June.
    2. Hyemin Jung & Min-Woo Jo & Hyun Joo Kim & Won Mo Jang & Sang Jun Eun & Jin Yong Lee, 2019. "General Public’s Perspectives on Medical Doctors and Local Clinics in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-9, June.
    3. Barbara Groele & Dominika Głąbska & Krystyna Gutkowska & Dominika Guzek, 2018. "Mother’s Fruit Preferences and Consumption Support Similar Attitudes and Behaviors in Their Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Huh, Sung-Yoon & Jo, Manseok & Shin, Jungwoo & Yoo, Seung-Hoon, 2019. "Impact of rebate program for energy-efficient household appliances on consumer purchasing decisions: The case of electric rice cookers in South Korea," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 1394-1403.
    5. Stephen X. Zhang & Hao Huang & Jizhen Li & Mayra Antonelli-Ponti & Scheila Farias de Paiva & José Aparecido da Silva, 2021. "Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Brazil during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-10, June.
    6. Ágnes Vajda & László Ózsvári & Dávid Szakos & Gyula Kasza, 2021. "Estimation of the Impact of Foodborne Salmonellosis on Consumer Well-Being in Hungary," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-10, September.
    7. Tianchang Ni & Runping Zhu & Richard Krever, 2023. "Responses to News Overload in a Non-Partisan Environment: News Avoidance in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, July.
    8. Sarah-Anne de Kremer & Tracy Ross & Marcus Paul Enoch & Fredrik Monsuur, 2024. "Factors Affecting Propensity to Lift-Share for Children’s Activities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-21, March.

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