Sampling and its Types
Contents
What is sample
What is sampling
Why to take sample
Types of sampling
Advantages of sampling
Disadvantages of sampling
What is sample
A sample is a finite part of statistical
population whose properties are studied
to gain information about the whole
(Webster, 1985).
Characteristics of Sample
• True representative of population
• A sample should be free from bias
• A good sample possess the least sampling error
• A small sample selected scientifically is much more
reliable than the larger poorly selected sample
• A good sample must be optimum in size
What is sampling?
It is a process or technique of selecting a
sample from the population for the purpose
of determining the characteristics of the
whole population.
Why to take sample
The large size of many populations
Accuracy
Economy
Timeliness
Inaccessibility of some of the population
Types of sampling
Non-
Probability Probability
Probability Sampling
Process or procedure that assures that
the different units in your population
have equal probabilities of being
chosen.
Simple Random Sampling
Stratified Sampling
Probability
Systematic Sampling
Sampling
Cluster Sampling
Multistage Sampling
Simple Random Sampling
Simple random sampling is a probability
sampling procedure that gives every
element in the target population, and each
possible sample of a given size, an equal
chance of being selected.
Example of simple random sampling
Stratified Sampling
Subjects are selected from homogeneous
strata or groups of the population.
Meaningful inferences can be drawn.
Example….
Systematic Sampling
• Units in the population
must be randomly ordered
• We need list of whole
population
Cluster Sampling
Divide population in clusters
Randomly sample clusters
Measure all units within
sampled clusters
Example….
Section
2
Section
1
Section
3
Section
5
Section
4
Multistage Sampling
• The population is composed of number of first stage sampling
units, each of which is made up of number of second
stage sampling units, each of which, in turn,
is made up of a number of third stage
units and so on.
• Until the ultimate sampling units in which we are interested is
reached.
Non-probability Sampling
A sampling technique which does not
involve random selection of the
participants.
Non-Probability sampling
Convenience Purposive
Quota Sampling Snowball Sampling
Convenience Sampling
• Also known as Accidental sampling /
Haphazard Sampling
• Members of the population are chosen
based on their relative ease of access
• For Ex.-
a) The first 100 customers to enter a department store
b) The first three callers in a radio contest.
Purposive Sampling
• Samples are selected according to some
purposive principle.
Purposive Sampling
Judgmental, selective or subjective sampling
Purpose in mind
Predefined group
Targeted population
Example…
athlete
student
product
Quota sampling
Non random
According to some fixed quota
There are two types
Proportional quota sampling
Non- proportional quota sampling
Snowball Sampling
Also called chain sampling/chain-referral
sampling
Identify who meets the criteria
Not representative
Used when population is inaccessible/hidden
When to Use Non-Probability Sampling
• This type of sampling can be used when demonstrating that a particular trait exists in the population.
• It can also be used when the researcher aims to do a qualitative, pilot or exploratory study.
• It can be used when randomization is impossible like when the population is almost limitless.
• It can be used when the research does not aim to generate results that will be used to
create generalizations pertaining to the entire population.
• It is also useful when the researcher has limited budget, time and workforce.
• This technique can also be used in an initial study which will be carried out again using a randomized,
probability sampling.
Advantages of Sampling
Reduces time and cost
Quality of Study is better
Provides quicker results
Reduction of Non Response Error
Better control over the subjects
Effective if population is infinite
Disadvantage of sampling
• Sampling may create a feeling of
discrimination with in the population.
• Sampling may be inadvisable where every
unit in the population is legally
required to have a record.
• For rare events, small samples may not yield
sufficient cases for study.
Sample Size (Cost Factor)
C = a + nc1 + C/10
C = Total cost of the study,
a = Overhead cost,
c1 = Cost of evaluating one
unit, and n is the sample
size.
C\10 = Contingency cost kept in reserve for coping with unforeseen expenditure
or compensating for inflation during the conduct of the study.
THANK
YOU
http://www.thh.nhs.uk/documents/_Departments/Research/InfoSheets/16_s
ampling_research.pdf
http://ww2.odu.edu/~jritz/attachments/edrefu.pdf
http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/~oliver/SOC357/Lectures%20and%20Notes/Sampling
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Thomas, Jerry R. et. al. (2011). Research Methods in Physical Activity. Human
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