# Sampling Validity and Memory Research

The extent to which we can generalise from the results of memory experiments to the general population depends on how representative were the samples used. Experimental psychologists often make use of opportunity samples. That is, they usually use as a sample anyone that it is convenient to recruit. Consequently, most of the experiments you have learned about were carried out with samples on undergraduate Psychology students, in the 1950s to 1970s.

Below are four pairs of statements. Choose from each pair the one that is more likely to be true of the samples used in the research you have studied. Then make an overall assessment of the sampling validity of the research, by filling in the blanks.

The samples are likely to contain even numbers of men and women |  | The samples are likely to consist mainly of men |
A narrow range of educational backgrounds is represented within the samples |  | A wide range of educational backgrounds is represented within the samples |
The samples are likely to contain people who can guess the aims of the study |  | The samples consisted mainly of people who could not guess the experimental aims |
A good range of ethnic and social backgrounds was represented in the samples |  | The samples did not reflect the social and ethnic diversity of the population |

Because the samples used in these experiments contained a
cross section of the general population, it is
to generalise the results confidently to the population at large.