Non-probability Sampling

A sample is a subset of a population and we survey the units from the sample with the aim to learn about the entire population. However, the sampling theory was basically developed for probability sampling, where all units in the population have known and positive probabilities of inclusion. This definition implicitly involves randomization, which is a process resembling lottery drawing, where the units are selected according to their inclusion probabilities. In probability sampling the randomized selection is used instead of arbitrary or purposive sample selection of the researcher, or, instead of various self-selection processes run by respondents. Within this context, the notion of non-probability sampling denotes the absence of probability sampling mechanism.