Editing Sampling (statistics) (section)

===Quota sampling===
{{main|Quota sampling}}
In '''quota sampling''', the population is first segmented into [[mutually exclusive]] sub-groups, just as in [[stratified sampling]]. Then judgement is used to select the subjects or units from each segment based on a specified proportion. For example, an interviewer may be told to sample 200 females and 300 males between the age of 45 and 60.

It is this second step which makes the technique one of non-probability sampling. In quota sampling the selection of the sample is non-[[random]]. For example, interviewers might be tempted to interview those who look most helpful. The problem is that these samples may be biased because not everyone gets a chance of selection. This random element is its greatest weakness and quota versus probability has been a matter of controversy for several years.