What does it mean that the sampling is purposive?

Purposive sampling refers to a non-probability sampling technique where participants are intentionally selected based on specific characteristics or experiences relevant to the research question. In this context, choosing participants who are experiencing the phenomenon allows the researcher to gather in-depth insights and perspectives that are most pertinent to the study. This method ensures that the sample provides rich, qualitative data that align closely with the research objectives.

The other options describe different sampling methods that do not align with the purpose of purposive sampling. For example, random selection involves choosing individuals without regard to their experiences or characteristics, while demographic selection focuses on specific traits rather than intentionally selecting individuals based on their experience of the phenomenon. Stratified sampling, meanwhile, divides the population into subgroups before randomly selecting participants, which also does not fit the purposive approach of targeting individuals for specific relevant experiences directly.