How to determine whether a convenience sample represents the population ¹

Abstract 

Although convenience samples are used widely by researchers, determination of the representativeness of these samples are not generally documented in nursing research. Because convenience samples may be biased, this study used a cross-sectional design and a convenience sample of 141 subjects to describe ways to assess this possible bias. Analysis of percentage and average variability (variance of the mean) suggested that the study sample represented the research setting population. More reports are needed to strengthen the findings of studies that have used convenience samples.

• 1 Edited by Meredith WallaceMeredith Wallace, PhD, RN, CS-ANP, is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT.