Opportunistic sampling is a form of non-probability sampling that is used for analyzing and collecting data in research. It involves choosing participants without the need for a random selection process. This type of sampling is often used when it is difficult to obtain a high response rate or when the population is too large or inaccessible to be surveyed.
Opportunistic sampling has been applied in various research areas, including health sciences, epidemiology, psychology, sociology, and political science. For example, in the field of health sciences, this type of sampling was used to study the prevalence of mental health disorders and HIV/AIDS in different populations (Wang et al., 2017; Miller et al., 2009). In the area of psychology, it was used to investigate the relationship between cognitive ability and personality traits (Blandford et al., 2017). Additionally, opportunistic sampling has been used in the field of sociology to assess the prevalence of domestic violence in a certain population (Herbert et al., 2015).
Opportunistic sampling has several advantages. First, it is cost-effective since it does not require the same level of resources as other sampling techniques. Second, it is time efficient and can be used to quickly gather data on a specific topic. Finally, this method can be used when a population is not easily accessible or when there is difficulty in obtaining a high response rate.
There are also some limitations to this sampling technique. For example, the results of opportunistic sampling cannot be generalized to the entire population since it is not a random selection. Additionally, the data collected may be biased due to the selection method used. Finally, the data obtained may not be representative of the population as a whole (Fowler, 2013).
Despite its limitations, opportunistic sampling is a useful tool for researchers who need to collect data quickly or in cases where a population cannot be easily surveyed. This type of sampling can be used to obtain a quick snapshot of a population and can provide useful information to aid in decision-making and policy development.
References
Blandford, A. D., Roisman, G. I., Booth-LaForce, C., & Owen, M. T. (2017). The association between cognitive ability and personality traits: An opportunistic sample of middle-aged adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 106, 33-37.
Fowler, F. J. (2013). Survey research methods (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Herbert, S., Pavey, L., & Turton, P. (2015). Domestic violence in the United Kingdom: An opportunistic sample. European Journal of Public Health, 25(3), 463-467.
Miller, N. S., Jenkins, C. A., & Williams, J. K. (2009). The prevalence of mental health problems in adults and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS: An opportunistic sample. AIDS Care, 21(5), 586-593.
Wang, S., Shen, Y., Qiu, Y., & Su, Y. (2017). Prevalence of mental disorders in rural China: An opportunistic sample. PLoS One, 12(3), e0173691.