The research on the influence of music on anxiety levels and physiological parameters in women undergoing gynecologic surgery used purposive sampling method for the study. Purposive sampling employs the use of different non-probability sampling techniques and is usually known as judgmental, selective or subjective sampling (Cochran, 2007). Purposive sampling in the choice of subjects to be studied relies on the judgment of the researcher. The method provides a smaller sample compared to other probability sampling methods (Macnee & McCabe, 2007). Researchers in purposive sampling believe in making sound judgments when obtaining representative samples which save resources such as time and money.
Strengths of Purposive Sampling
Purposive sampling is a cost-effective sampling method which saves on effort, money and time. It utilizes minimum resources as seen in the music therapy research by using the state-trait anxiety inventory and noninvasive instruments to measure physiological factors such as blood pressure in a short period such as playing music for twenty minutes as done in the study (Labrague & McEnroe-Petitte, 2016). Purposive sampling method has been classified as the only appropriate data collection method when the primary data sources are limited in number. The choice of gynecological surgery as a condition of study only calls for women who are undergoing the process to achieve proper conclusions and observations (Labrague & McEnroe-Petitte, 2016).
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Purposive sampling is flexible which allows the researchers to meet multiple needs and interests. The experimental group in the music therapy research provides results for blood pressure, heart rate, pulse and respirations before surgery which presents a database that can be used for future reference to make decisions and conclusions. Being selective purposive sampling enables researchers to choose subjects to form a representative sample of the particular population to find solutions. The research on music therapy and its positive outcome is applied to the populations of women undergoing gynecological surgery due to the results realized from the representative sample (Labrague & McEnroe-Petitte, 2016).
Purposive sampling consists of a wide range of sampling techniques utilized by researchers in qualitative research designs (Macnee & McCabe, 2007). It allows the user to different types of purposive sampling to achieve diversified information on the study.it also enable multiple phases where each phase can be built on the previous one and identification of phenomena that require further investigation.
Weaknesses of Purposive Sampling
Purposive sampling is affected by researcher bias. The bias which can be consciously or unconsciously applied influenced the collected data (Macnee & McCabe, 2007). Researchers’ bias can influence the results by validating the data and providing false interpretations and conclusions. Purposive sampling data is often regarded as unreliable due to the margin of errors and vulnerability of data. The use of researcher judgment in the study to make conclusions provides a low level of reliability and increases the level of bias (Labrague & McEnroe-Petitte, 2016). The method requires additional data from other sources to convince the readers that the results are valid.
Reliability and Validity of Purpose Sampling and Improving the Sampling Process
The sampling method due to its critical disadvantages in research bias and low reliability fails to promote reliable and valid results in experiments. It is usually combined with other types of sampling or avoided entirely for impactful and dependable research. To improve the sampling process, the researchers should eliminate the bias and promote the reliability and validity of their research (Cochran, 2007). Improvement of the sampling method can be made through the use of the various sampling techniques in purposive sampling. They include homogeneous, typical, extreme or deviant, critical case, total population, maximum variation and expert sampling (Cochran, 2007). Using different type at each phase will improve purposive sampling making it useful offering a wide range of selection of non-probability sampling techniques. In the music therapy investigation case, the researcher should have used critical case sampling in determining the validity of their research (Labrague & McEnroe-Petitte, 2016) and later incorporate expert sampling to examine the specific issues related to gynecological surgery in women.
References
Cochran, W. G. (2007). Sampling techniques . New York: Wiley.
Labrague, L. & McEnroe-Petitte, D. (2016 ). Influence of music on preoperative anxiety and physiological parameters in women undergoing gynecologic surgery . Clinical Nursing Research, Vol.25 Issue 2, pp.157-173,
Macnee, C. L., & McCabe, S. (2007). Understanding nursing research: Using research in evidence-based practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
