Which of the following is a disadvantage of opportunity sampling?

Opportunity sampling involves selecting participants who are readily available and willing to participate in a study. This method is often convenient and less time-consuming than other sampling techniques. However, a significant disadvantage of opportunity sampling is that it may lead to an unrepresentative sample of the broader population.

This unrepresentative nature arises because opportunity sampling relies on the accessibility of participants, which can introduce bias. For instance, if the sample is drawn from a specific location (like a university campus), it may not adequately reflect the diversity of the entire population, such as factors like age, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. As a result, the findings from studies utilizing opportunity sampling may not be generalizable to the wider population, raising concerns about the reliability and validity of the results derived from such samples.

Other potential disadvantages, such as time consumption or high costs, are typically not associated with opportunity sampling. In fact, this sampling method is often favored for its relatively low time and cost implications compared to probabilistic sampling methods. Therefore, the risk of obtaining an unrepresentative sample stands out as a key concern.