purposeful selection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purposeful selection" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a selection that is done carefully and thoughtfully, usually to achieve a particular goal. For example, "The team made a purposeful selection of recruits to ensure the best possible representation of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Rural and urban sample data were stratified a priori, and a purposeful selection strategy was used to select exploratory multivariable models identifying covariates that were independently associated with screening status.

BMJ Open

Models were built by using purposeful selection, a 5-step method for selecting variables based on both biologic importance and statistical significance.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Once the districts were selected, the second stage involved a purposeful selection of four largest pigeonpea producing sections5 in each district.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Purposeful selection, as proposed by Hosmer and Lemeshow (2000), was used to select variables to control confounding in multivariable models.

Gut Microbes

A useful strategy for a purposeful selection of these calibration experiments is proposed.

Journal of Chromatography A

This may have been accidental at first, owing to the similarity in colour and flame colour between the bright green copper carbonate mineral malachite and the weathered products of such copper-arsenic sulfide minerals as enargite, and it may have been followed later by the purposeful selection of arsenic compounds based on their garlic odour when heated.

Britannica

Results indicate the approach can foster large increases in green network connectivity using small parcels (a 356% increase in total open space area was observed in this study after three years of purposeful selection), allowing cities to reclaim unused urban areas and defragment the open space network.

Applied Geography

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The type of sampling used was random purposeful (random selection to select limited numbers of cases from a larger purposeful sample).

BMC Medical Ethics

Purposeful sample selection was used to target two major groups in Hamilton, Ontario: 1) self-identified members of the Roma community and their self-identified leadership and 2) service providers to the Roma in the health, child welfare, immigration, education, social services, religious, and policing sectors.

Johns Hopkins University

A purposeful variable selection strategy was used to build the final multivariate logistic regression models [ 20].

BMC Infectious Diseases

The evidence-base was developed through purposeful article selection by the project directors rather than systematic review methods.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a methodology, clearly articulate the criteria used in your "purposeful selection" to enhance the transparency and replicability of your research.

Common error

Avoid overstating the generalizability of findings when using "purposeful selection". Acknowledge that the selected sample may not be representative of the broader population, and the results should be interpreted within the context of the selection criteria.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purposeful selection" functions as a noun phrase, where "purposeful" modifies the noun "selection". It typically describes a deliberate and goal-oriented process of choosing specific items or individuals based on predefined criteria. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

97%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "purposeful selection" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, predominantly in formal and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a deliberate and goal-oriented selection process. The phrase highlights the intention and specific criteria behind the choices made, emphasizing the rigor and transparency of the selection methodology. Common alternatives include "deliberate choice" and "intentional selection". When using this phrase, it is important to clearly articulate the selection criteria and acknowledge any limitations in generalizability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate choice

Focuses on the act of choosing after careful consideration.

intentional selection

Highlights the intent behind the act of choosing.

strategic selection

Emphasizes the strategic nature of the selection process.

conscious choice

Stresses the awareness involved in the decision.

methodical selection

Highlights the systematic approach to choosing.

careful selection

Focuses on the attentiveness applied during selection.

considered selection

Implies that the selection was made after thorough consideration.

discriminating selection

Suggests a refined ability to distinguish and choose.

targeted selection

Focuses on selecting specific items for a particular goal.

reasoned selection

Emphasizes the logical basis for the choice.

FAQs

How can I use "purposeful selection" in a research paper?

In research, "purposeful selection" is often used when you need to select participants or sources based on specific criteria relevant to your study. Explain your selection criteria clearly to justify your approach and acknowledge any limitations.

What is the difference between "purposeful selection" and random selection?

"Purposeful selection" involves choosing participants or sources based on predefined characteristics or criteria, whereas random selection aims to create a representative sample by giving every member of the population an equal chance of being selected. Random selection is ideal for quantitative research to infer population characteristics, while "purposeful sampling" is ideal for qualitative studies for in-depth information.

What are some situations where "purposeful selection" is most appropriate?

"Purposeful selection" is appropriate when you need to gather in-depth information from specific groups or individuals, such as experts in a field, or when studying rare phenomena where random sampling would be inefficient. Examples include case studies, focus groups, and exploratory research.

Are there any biases associated with "purposeful selection"?

Yes, "purposeful selection" can introduce selection bias because the sample is not representative of the broader population. It is important to acknowledge this limitation and interpret findings within the context of the specific criteria used for selection. It's crucial to detail the limitations of using "selective sampling" in your study's methodology.