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9 - Convenience Samples in Political Science Experiments

from Part II - Experimental Data

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2021

James N. Druckman
Affiliation:
Northwestern University, Illinois
Donald P. Green
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York
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Summary

This chapter provides an overview of convenience sampling in political science experimental research.We first define convenience sampling and track its use in political science research.Next, we focus on the use of three sample types: undergraduate convenience samples, crowdsourced convenience samples, and other types such as social media and non-student convenience sample samples.We review empirical research on the potential issues with each convenience sample type, along with best practices that can be used to address those issues.Overall, we conclude that while there are justified concerns that scholars should be aware of when using convenience samples, much of the empirical research suggests that they provide valid results for experimental treatment effects that reliably replicate across more representative probability samples.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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