What is the major limitation of convenience sampling?

Convenience sampling involves selecting individuals who are easiest to reach, resulting in a sample that may not effectively represent the broader population. This limitation arises because those readily accessible may share similar characteristics or experiences, leading to a lack of diversity in the sample. As a result, the findings derived from convenience samples can be biased, reducing their generalizability to the entire population. Researchers often aim for a diverse sample to ensure that various perspectives and characteristics are represented, which is particularly important in social sciences and psychology for the validity of conclusions drawn.

On the other hand, the other options point to various misconceptions about convenience sampling. It is not inherently time-consuming, nor is it complex to implement; in fact, it is typically one of the simplest sampling methods. Additionally, convenience sampling does not guarantee representativeness, which is crucial for ensuring the findings can be applied to a larger group. Thus, the major limitation remains its inability to produce a diverse and representative sample.