What are the Essentials of good Sampling?
1. Representative:
The sample should truly represent the characteristics of the verse. For this
investigator should be free from bias and the method of collection should
be appropriate.
2. Adequacy:
The size of the sample should be adequate i.e., neither too large nor small
but commensurate with the size of the population.
3. Homogeneity:
There should be homogeneity in the nature of all the units selected for the
sample. If the units of the sample are of heterogeneous character it will
impossible to make a comparative study with them.
4. Independent ability:
The method of selection of the sample should be such that the items of the
sample are selected in an independent manner. This means that lection of
one item should not influence the selection of another item in any manner
d that each item should be selected on the basis of its own merit.
Sampling – Meaning, Essentials, Advantages, Sample Size, Sample Errors
What is Sampling?
Sampling is the process of learning about the population, i.e., all the units of
the universe, on the basis of a sample drawn from it. It requires selection of
the sample, collection and analysis of information and making an inference
about the population.
Sampling – Meaning, Essentials, Advantages, drawbacks, Sample Size, Sample
Errors
For example, if the objective of the study is to ascertain consumer satisfaction,
it is not possible to get the necessary information from all the consumers. The
researcher may, therefore, select a sample of 500 or 1000 consumers from the
market and proceed to collect the required information from them.
Essentials of sampling
The following are some of the essentials of sampling.
1. The sample selected should be representative of the entire population. This
may be achieved by using the random sampling method.
2. The size of the sample must also be adequate. The larger the size of the
sample, the greater will be the accuracy of the results.
3. All the units of the universe should have the same chance of getting
selected. The researcher should not use his judgement in selecting the sample.
4. There should be no basic difference in the nature of the units of the
universe.
Advantages of Sampling
The following are some of the advantages of sampling.
1. A sample study is less time consuming. This is because it considers only a
portion of the universe.
2. It is also less expensive as information has to be collected only from a
limited number of respondents.
3. The results of the sample study may be more accurate. This is possible
because the number of units to be considered is less. The researcher,
therefore, can take every possible care to get accurate and complete
information from the respondents.
4. It is also possible to get more detailed information from every respondent,
as only few respondents need to be interviewed.
5. For certain studies, sample method alone can be used. For example, if a
producer of bricks wants to test the breaking strength of the bricks made in
his factory, such a test can be done only by using the sample method.
Drawbacks of Sampling
The following are some of the drawbacks of sampling.
1. If the sample is not representative of the population, it will affect the
results.
2. The study results will also get affected if the sample size is inadequate.
3. There is chance for the bias element entering the process of sample
selection. This again will affect results.
4. Sampling method cannot be used if each unit of the universe is
heterogeneous.
Factors determining Sample Size
The following are some of the factors that determine size of sample.
1. If the size of the population is large, the size of the sample should also be
large.
2. If the time and money available for the study are limited the researcher may
have to settle for a small sample size.
3. If the researcher expects a higher degree of accuracy in results, he may have
to go in for a larger sample size.
4. A large sample size may be required if the units of the universe are
heterogeneous. On the other hand, if all the population units are
homogeneous, a small sample size may be enough.
5. If the nature of the sample is a simple random sample, the sample size
needs to be large. On the other hand, if it is stratified random sample, a small
sample-size may be enough.
6. For an intensive and more detailed study, small sample is suitable.
Sampling Errors
Sampling errors may fall under two categories:
a. Biased Errors and
b. Unbiased Errors.
a. Biased Errors
Biased errors may arise due to the bias in the selection of the samples.
Example: Deliberate selection of the random sample. The other causes of bias
may be stated as follows:
i. Deliberate selection of the representative sample.
ii. Non-existence of randomness.
iii. Substitution of an item in place of the one intended. For example, in the
case of systematic sampling, if it is decided to contact the 1st, 5th, 10th,
15th household and so on in a locality, if the researcher contacts the 9th
or the 14th household, as the 10th or the 15th cannot be approached,
error creeps in.
b. Unbiased errors
Unbiased errors arise due to chance differences. For example, if a producer of
bulbs checks 10 bulbs, in a batch of 100 bulbs, at random and all the 10 are
faulty.
Non-Sampling Errors
Such errors occur due to any of the following causes:
1. Faulty Questionnaire or Schedule
2. Improper responses from the respondents.
3. Lack of trained enumerators.
4. Use of incorrect statistical tools for analysis etc.
