Non-probabilistic sampling techniques

Qualitative studies use samples that have been selected using non-probabilistic sampling techniques such as purposive sampling (Leedy and Ormrod 169). The logic behind this lies in the main objective of the study and therefore participants are selected to answer the research question. The disadvantage of using non-probabilistic sampling techniques is that the results from the study cannot be generalized to the entire population. In the research study conducted by Garcia-Perez et al. (18), the studies used in the review were selected using some criteria such as language (English and Spanish). It is, therefore, possible that similar studies were done in other languages (non-English and non-Spanish) were excluded from the review yet they could provide useful information for the study. Readers should therefore be cautious when reading a qualitative study to ensure that they do not generalize the findings to the entire population because such generalizations could create false inferences.