Probability Sampling
Types of Probability
Sampling Designs
Simple random sampling
Stratified sampling
Systematic sampling
Cluster (area) sampling
Multistage sampling
Some Definitions
N = the number of cases in the sampling
frame
n = the number of cases in the sample
NCn = the number of combinations (subsets)
of n from N
f = n/N = the sampling fraction
Simple Random Sampling
• Objective: Select n units out of N such that
every NCn has an equal chance.
• Procedure: Use table of random numbers,
computer random number generator or
mechanical device.
• Can sample with or without replacement.
• f=n/N is the sampling fraction.
Simple Random Sampling
Example:
Small service agency.
Client assessment of quality of service.
Get list of clients over past year.
Draw a simple random sample of n/N.
Simple Random Sampling
List of clients
Simple Random Sampling
List of clients
Random subsample
Stratified Random Sampling
• Sometimes called "proportional" or
"quota" random sampling.
• Objective: Population of N units divided
into nonoverlapping strata N1, N2, N3, ...
Ni such that N1 + N2 + ... + Ni = N; then
do simple random sample of n/N in
each strata.
Stratified Sampling - Purposes:
• To insure representation of each strata,
oversample smaller population groups.
• Administrative convenience -- field
offices.
• Sampling problems may differ in each
stratum.
• Increase precision (lower variance) if
strata are homogeneous within (like
blocking).
Stratified Random Sampling
List of clients
Stratified Random Sampling
List of clients
African-American
Hispanic-American Other
s
Strata
Stratified Random Sampling
List of clients
African-American Hispanic-American Others
Strata
Random subsamples of n/N
Proportionate vs.
Disproportionate Stratified
Random Sampling
Proportionate: If sampling fraction is equal for
each stratum
Disproportionate: Unequal sampling fraction
in each stratum
Needed to enable better representation of
smaller (minority groups)
Systematic Random Sampling
Procedure:
Number units in population from 1 to N.
Decide on the n that you want or need.
N/n=k the interval size.
Randomly select a number from 1 to k.
Take every kth unit.
Systematic Random
Sampling
Assumes that the population is randomly
ordered.
Advantages: Easy; may be more precise than
simple random sample.
Systematic 1
2
26
27
51
52
76
77
Random
3 28 53 78
4 29 54 79
5 30 55 80
Sampling 6
7
8
31
32
33
56
57
58
81
82
83
N = 100 9
10
34
35
59
60
84
85
11 36 61 86
12 37 62 87
13 38 63 88
14 39 64 89
15 40 65 90
16 41 66 91
17 42 67 92
18 43 68 93
19 44 69 94
20 45 70 95
21 46 71 96
22 47 72 97
23 48 73 98
24 49 74 99
25 50 75 100
Systematic 1
2
26
27
51
52
76
77
Random
3 28 53 78
4 29 54 79
5 30 55 80
N = 100
Sampling
6 31 56 81
7 32 57 82
8 33 58 83
9 34 59 84
10 35 60 85
Want n = 20 11 36 61 86
12 37 62 87
13 38 63 88
14 39 64 89
15 40 65 90
16 41 66 91
17 42 67 92
18 43 68 93
19 44 69 94
20 45 70 95
21 46 71 96
22 47 72 97
23 48 73 98
24 49 74 99
25 50 75 100
Systema 1
2
26
27
51
52
76
77
tic 3
4
28
29
53
54
78
79
Random N = 100
5
6
30
31
55
56
80
81
7 32 57 82
Samplin 8
9
33
34
58
59
83
84
g want n = 20 10
11
35
36
60
61
85
86
12 37 62 87
13 38 63 88
N/n = 5 14 39 64 89
15 40 65 90
16 41 66 91
17 42 67 92
18 43 68 93
19 44 69 94
20 45 70 95
21 46 71 96
22 47 72 97
23 48 73 98
24 49 74 99
25 50 75 100
1 26 51 76
2 27 52 77
3 28 53 78
Systematic 4
5
29
30
54
55
79
80
Random N = 100 6
7
8
31
32
33
56
57
58
81
82
83
Sampling Want n = 20
9
10
34
35
59
60
84
85
11 36 61 86
12 37 62 87
13 38 63 88
N/n = 5 14 39 64 89
15 40 65 90
16 41 66 91
Select a random number from 1-5: 17 42 67 92
18 43 68 93
chose 4 19 44 69 94
20 45 70 95
21 46 71 96
22 47 72 97
23 48 73 98
24 49 74 99
25 50 75 100
Systemat 1
2
26
27
51
52
76
77
3 28 53 78
ic 4
5
29
30
54
55
79
80
Random N = 100
6
7
31
32
56
57
81
82
8 33 58 83
Sampling Want n = 20
9
10
34
35
59
60
84
85
11 36 61 86
12 37 62 87
13 38 63 88
N/n = 5 14 39 64 89
15 40 65 90
16 41 66 91
Select a random number from 1-5: 17 42 67 92
18 43 68 93
chose 4 19 44 69 94
20 45 70 95
21 46 71 96
22 47 72 97
Start with #4 and take every 5th unit 23 48 73 98
24 49 74 99
25 50 75 100
Cluster (Area) Random
Sampling
Procedure:
Divide population into clusters.
Randomly sample clusters.
Measure all units within sampled
clusters.
Cluster (Area) Random
Sampling
Advantages: Administratively useful,
especially when you have a wide
geographic area to cover.
Examples: Randomly sample from city
blocks and measure all homes in
selected blocks.
Multi-Stage Sampling
Cluster (area) random sampling can
be multi-stage.
Any combinations of single-stage
methods.
Multi-Stage Sampling
Example: Choosing students from schools
Select all schools; then sample within
schools.
Sample schools; then measure all students.
Sample schools; then sample students.
