Unit 3

Population and Sampling

In this lesson, you will learn different ways by which you can take your samples and
sample size for your study. There are terms which you should know first so that you will
have a better understanding about the lesson.

I. Objectives
In this unit, the student is expected to:
A. Describe the different sampling techniques used in research and biostatistics.
B. Determine sample sizes required based from given population (N) and
margin of errors (e).

II. Topics
A. Population and related terms
B. Probability sampling techniques
C. Non-probability sampling techniques

III. Presentation

A. Population
Population is a collection of all possible members for a study. It is the totality
of persons that possess some observable characteristics called variables (like
males, females, doctors, children, adults, Americans, etc.). There are 2 types
of population:

1. Finite population – are data sets from which the members can be counted
or determined immediately through putting certain delimitation.
Examples: Professors attending the conference
American faculty members in Y University
Male teachers in District W
 Children of 4P’s members in public schools

2. Infinite population – are data sets from which the members cannot be
determined or counted immediately until a test or examination, etc. is
made.
Examples: Children with tuberculosis
Adult males with colon cancer
Married women with scoliosis

Sample is a part or portion of population. When you select only a subset of the total
population because they are the ones needed in the study, then that is called a sample.
See the illustration below.

Population (N)
bigger
Sample
smaller and within the population
(n)

Sample
Way, procedure or manner (How?)

Randomization is a process of getting a sample in such a way that every individual in the
population will be given a chance to be included as sample.

Random sample is a sample taken through the process of randomization. (persons)

Sample size is the number of respondents (or subjects) needed and taken from a
population. To determine the sample size, the subject(s) of the study should be identified
first including its population. Sample size can be calculated using Slovin’s equation as:

𝑵
n= where: n = sample size needed
𝟏+𝑵 (𝒆)²
N = total population
e = allowable margin of error
The allowable margin of error should be from 5% (0.05) to 20% (0.20) provided the
computed sample size should not be lower than 30.

Minimum or lowest number

Example: If N = 1 000; e = 0.05, then what is the value of n?

Calculation:

Using ordinary calculator or mobile phone

Using a scientific calculator

𝑁 1 000 1 000 1 000 1 000

n=1+𝑁(𝑒)² = 1+1 000 (0.05)2 = = 1+2.5 = = 285.7 or 286
1+(1 000 𝑥 0.0025) 3.5

Sample size
(Always in whole number)
B. Basic Sampling Techniques

There are two kinds of sampling techniques. These are probability and non-probability
sampling techniques.

1. Probability sampling techniques is a process of selecting samples in such a way that

individuals in the defined population have an equal and independent chance of
being selected as sample, the process of which is called randomization. (You
calculate the sample size needed).

Kinds of Probability Sampling Techniques

How to do it
a. Simple random sampling. This kind of sampling technique uses the
concept of lottery method in getting samples. Name of the members of
the population are written individually in a small piece of paper and then
place in a box or jar. After determining the sample size, just pick up the
pieces of paper equivalent to the sample size.
Illustration:
If N=1000, then you must have 1000 small sheets of paper.
Jun

Hilda Allan

Hilda
Abbey

Allan
Jun
Yasmin If n=286, then
continue taking
sheets of paper
until you get
what is needed.

b. Stratified sampling. It is a process of selecting samples in such a way that

the identified subgroups in the population are represented in the sample
in the same proportion that they exist in the population. (The higher
population there is in the subgroup, the more numbers are needed as
samples).
𝟓𝟑𝟓𝟒 𝟓𝟑𝟓𝟒 𝟓𝟑𝟓𝟒
n = 𝟏+(𝟓𝟑𝟓𝟒 𝒙 𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟓) = = 𝟏𝟒.𝟑𝟖𝟓 = 372
𝟏+𝟏𝟑.𝟑𝟖𝟓
 Illustration:
City Population (N) % n
1567
Tabaco 1567 = 0.29 372 x 0.29 = 108
5354
890
Iriga 890 = 0.17 372 x 0.17 = 63
5354
439
Ligao 439 = 0.08 372 x 0.08 = 30
5354
2458
Naga 2458 = 0.46 372 x 0.46 = 171
5354

Total 5,354 372

Cluster sampling. It is a sampling process in which groups (not individuals) are
selected at random. All members of the selected groups have similar characteristics. It can
be one-stage cluster sampling or two-stage cluster sampling. (sociology.about.com)

1) one-stage cluster sampling: when the researcher includes all of the

subjects (or members) from the chosen clusters into final sample.
Example: You want to determine the nutritional status of adolescent
females in Q National High School.
Population
Name of High School of Samples
Adolescent Taken
Females
A – NHS 73 Ok, all
B – NHS 32
C – NHS 26 Ok, all
D – NHS 15 Ok, all
F – NHS 58
G – NHS 51
H – NHS 35 Ok, all
2) Two-stage cluster sampling: It is obtained when you only select a
number of subjects/samples from each cluster (either through simple
random or systematic sampling).

one-stage cluster sampling

 2-stage cluster sampling

Population
Name of High School of Samples Samples
Adolescent Taken Taken
Females

A – NHS 73 Ok Sample
from 73
B- NHS 32
C – NHS 26 Ok Sample
from 26
D – NHS 15
E – NHS 58 Ok Sample
from 58
F – NHS 51
G – NHS 35 Ok Sample
from 35

c. Systematic sampling. It is a sampling technique in which the individuals

are selected from a list by taking the “kth” name or number until the
desired number of sample is taken.

Ex.: You want to take all those whose names beginning with vowels

1 Allan Cynthia Indira Piolo Esperanza

2 Benilda Abigail Jaina Kim Ibrahim
3 Daisy Aily Orly Oliver Bruce
4 Anabelle Zinnia Mary Jean Esequiel Ulpiano
 5 Criselda Edna Urduja Donato Zenaida

or you may use a dice to determine which number or interval can be

taken as reference to take the sample chosen.
(In this example, use the symbol of the number you see on top;

therefore, you will start from 5 and every 5th name/number after until
you completely get the value of n)

kth = 5

1 Hilda 9 Safeia 17 Abdon 25 Terry

2 Klaus 10 Alex 18 Walter 26 Azela
3 James 11 Joseph 19 Salvador 27 Yasmin
4 Sarah 12 Kamila 20 Amelia 28 Wilma
5 Tony 13 Mona 21 Artemio 29 Rizza
6 Nora 14 Monique 22 Soledad 30 Indira
7 Abraham 15 Amira 23 Ibrahim 31 Oswald
8 Aishah 16 Amalia 24 Remy 32 Cynthia

2. Non-probability sampling technique. There is no random selection of samples or

cases from the population. The samples or subjects that are needed are merely
taken or selected for certain purposes of the study.

Kinds of Non-Probability Sampling

a. Accidental or incidental sampling. It is a process of getting subjects of a

study that is only available during that time or period.
Example: When you want to determine the food habits of those who were
in isolation during the covid-19 pandemic in Naga City
 b. Quota sampling. It is a process of getting a sample or subjects of study
through a quota system. It discretionary like taking 50 only from the
population of 235 or 20% of the population.
Example: There are 537 rice farmers in Province X. You decided to get
25% of them only which is equivalent to 134.
or you may want to get 100 only from 537.

c. Purposive sampling. The researcher simply picks out the subjects that are
representatives of a population depending upon the purpose of the
study.
Example: There are 52 female symptomatic patients from covid-19 in
Hospital Q. You need samples who have underwent swab test who were
27 out of 52. So, your samples will be the 27 only.

d. Snowball sampling. The number of samples become bigger or more

when referrals give more probable subjects that they know who possess
the characteristics of the required sample.
Example: You want to determine the experiences of male drug rehab individual
who were released from Facility O last year. However, you know only Kristhian.
You asked him about their activities while inside the facility. When all was done,
you ask him who else were with him in that facility who were also released. He
identified Tony who lives in municipality C. Then you will look for Tony in
municipality C and ask the same questions as you did with Kristhian. Continue
this process until you get the desired sample size.

The diagram below will help you understand and remember the different sampling techniques
used in research to make number of respondents valid.
 Basic Sampling
Techniques

Probability Non-Probability
Sampling Sampling

simple random accidental

stratified quota
cluster purposive
systematic snowball

There is random selection of samples. There is no random selection of samples.