What type of sampling is used when a researcher specifically seeks students with learning disabilities recommended by special education coordinators?

The researcher is specifically looking for students with learning disabilities who are willing to share their experiences. The participants are not chosen randomly; instead, they are recommended by special education coordinators who are aware of students fitting these specific criteria. This method of selecting participants based on the researcher's judgment and the specific characteristics required for the study is known as purposive sampling.

• Purposive Sampling: The researcher deliberately selects individuals who have particular characteristics or experiences relevant to the research question. In this case, the researcher is purposefully seeking students with learning disabilities who have experience with online learning platforms and are willing to share.
• Systematic Sampling: Involves selecting participants at regular intervals from a list (e.g., every 10th person). This is not described here.
• Snowball Sampling: Involves initial participants referring other potential participants. While there's a referral aspect, the initial selection is made by the researcher through coordinators, not by participants referring other participants.
• Simple Random Sampling: Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. This is a non-random selection process.

The correct option is:

• Purposive Sampling