Random Sample, Quota Sample

Abstract

The EVS survey comprised in France two subsamples, one built randomly, the other according to the method of “enhanced quotas”. This article first presents the mechanism implemented by emphasizing the difficulties to obtain random interviews. Then it compares the two samples, first for variables entering the quota, and for other background variables, finally for dependent variables. The quota sample proves better than the random sample. Too educated, too rural, too old, the latter is also more politicized than the quota sample, which contradicts the usual critics of this methodology. The article finally shows that after weightings, the two parts of the sample have results sufficiently close to constitute an entity regarded as representative of the French population.