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Sampling & Sampling Techniques

Sampling is a statistical procedure used to make inferences about a larger population based on analyzing a representative subset of that population, known as a sample. There are two main categories of sampling methods: probability sampling, where every member of the population has a known, non-zero chance of being selected; and non-probability sampling, where the likelihood of selection is unknown. Some common probability sampling techniques include simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and systematic random sampling. Common non-probability sampling methods include convenience sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling, and judgmental sampling.

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54 views

Sampling & Sampling Techniques

Sampling is a statistical procedure used to make inferences about a larger population based on analyzing a representative subset of that population, known as a sample. There are two main categories of sampling methods: probability sampling, where every member of the population has a known, non-zero chance of being selected; and non-probability sampling, where the likelihood of selection is unknown. Some common probability sampling techniques include simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and systematic random sampling. Common non-probability sampling methods include convenience sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling, and judgmental sampling.

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Mavel Desamparado
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sampling & Sampling techniques

What is sampling?
Sampling is a statistical procedure that is concerned with the selection of the individual
observation; it helps us to make statistical inferences about the population.

The Main Characteristics of Sampling


In sampling, we assume that samples are drawn from the population and sample means
and population means are equal. A population can be defined as a whole that includes
all items and characteristics of the research taken into study. However, gathering all this
information is time consuming and costly. We therefore make inferences about the
population with the help of samples.

 Population is the collection of the elements which has some or the other
characteristic in common. Number of elements in the population is the size of the
population.
 Sample is a set of data that contains a part, or a subset, of a population. The size
of a sample is always less than the size of the population from which it is taken.
The process of selecting a sample is known as sampling.

Sampling
As a group, sampling methods fall into one of two categories.

 Probability sample is a sampling technique, in which the subjects of the


population get an equal opportunity to be selected as a representative sample

 Non-probability sample is a method of sampling wherein, it is not known that


which individual from the population will be selected as a sample.

Non-Probability Sampling Methods

1. Convenience sampling – is probably the most common of all sampling


techniques. With convenience sampling, the samples are selected because they
are accessible to the researcher. Subjects are chosen simply because they are easy
to recruit. This technique is considered easiest, cheapest and least time
consuming.

2. Consecutive Sampling - is very similar to convenience sampling, with a slight


variation. Here, the researcher picks a single person or a group of sample,
conducts research over a period of time, analyzes the results and then moves on
to another subject or group of subject if needed. This non-probability sampling
technique can be considered as the best of all non-probability samples because it
includes all subjects that are available that makes the sample a better
representation of the entire population.

3. Quota Sampling - is a non-probability sampling technique wherein the researcher


ensures equal or proportionate representation of subjects depending on which
trait is considered as basis of the quota.

For example, if basis of the quota is college year level and the researcher needs
equal representation, with a sample size of 100, he must select 25 1st year
students, another 25 2nd year students, 25 3rd year and 25 4th year students. The
bases of the quota are usually age, gender, education, race, religion and
socioeconomic status.

4. Judgmental sampling - is more commonly known as purposive sampling. The


samples are selected based purely on researcher’s knowledge and credibility. In
other words, researchers choose only those who he feels are a right fit (with
respect to attributes and representation of a population) to participate in research
study. This is the reason why they are purposively chosen as subjects.

5. Snowball Sampling – also known as chain-referral sampling is defined as a non-


probability sampling technique in which the samples have traits that are rare to
find. This is a sampling technique, in which existing subjects provide referrals to
recruit samples required for a research study.

For example, when carrying out a survey of risk behaviors amongst intravenous
drug users, participants may be asked to nominate other users to be interviewed.

This sampling technique can go on and on, just like a snowball increasing in size
(in this case the sample size) till the time a researcher has enough data to analyze,
to draw conclusive results that can help an organization make informed decisions.
Probability Sampling Methods

1. Simple random sampling - as the name suggests is a completely random method of


selecting the sample. This sampling method is as easy as assigning numbers to the
individuals (sample) and then randomly choosing from those numbers through an
automated process. Finally, the numbers that are chosen are the members that are
included in the sample.

There are two ways in which the samples are chosen in this method of sampling:
Lottery system and using number generating software/ random number table.
This sampling technique usually works around large population and has its fair
share of advantages and disadvantages.

2. Stratified sampling - is a probability sampling technique wherein the researcher


divides the entire population into different subgroups or strata, then randomly
selects the final subjects proportionally from the different strata.
As an example, suppose we conduct a national survey. We might divide the
population into groups or strata, based on geography - north, east, south, and
west. Then, within each stratum, we might randomly select survey respondents.

3. Cluster sampling - With cluster sampling, the researcher divides the population
into separate groups, called clusters. Then, a simple random sample of clusters is
selected from the population. The researcher conducts his analysis on data from
the sampled clusters.

Difference between Cluster Sampling and Stratified Sampling

The main difference between cluster sampling and stratified sampling lies with the

inclusion of the cluster or strata.

In stratified random sampling, all the strata of the population is sampled while
in cluster sampling, the researcher only randomly selects a number of clusters
from the collection of clusters of the entire population. Therefore, only a number
of clusters are sampled, all the other clusters are left unrepresented.

4. Multistage sampling. With multistage sampling, we select a sample by using


combinations of different sampling methods.
For example, in Stage 1, we might use cluster sampling to choose clusters from a
population. Then, in Stage 2, we might use simple random sampling to select a
subset of elements from each chosen cluster for the final sample.

5. Systematic random sampling


Systematic sampling is a type of probability sampling method in which sample
members from a larger population are selected according to a random starting
point but with a fixed, periodic interval. This interval, called the sampling interval,
is calculated by dividing the population size by the desired sample size.

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