What is volunteer sampling?

Answer 1

This is another way of saying self selected sample.

This sampling technique consists of participants becoming part of a study because they volunteer when asked or in response to an advert.

This technique, like opportunity sampling, is useful as it is quick and relatively easy to do. It can also reach a wide variety of participants. However, the type of participants who volunteer may not be representative of the target population for a number of reasons. For example, they may be more obedient, more motivated to take part in studies and so on.

Suppose, for example, that a news show asks viewers to participate in an on-line poll. This would be a voluntary sample. The sample is chosen by the viewers, not by the survey administrator.