SAMPLING STRATEGIES

BY GROUP FIVE
JOSEPH NKHATA
FEMOUS KAUNDA
ALICE DAMSON
TIONGE MULUNGU
WILSON CHOMBWE
MAYAMIKO BANGO
CHARITY CHINGWALU
MAGRET CHILAMBO
EMILY KAMWERA
RABECCA NG’OMA
ROSTINA CHOMBWA
SAMPLING
This is technique were by
researcher systematically select a
relatively smaller number of
representative items or individuals
from a pre-defined population to
serve as subjects for observation
Sampling strategy is a plan or
method for selecting subset of
individuals or items from a larger
population for the purpose of
TYPES OF SAMPLING METHOD

1. Non probability sampling

2. Probability sampling
1.Non-probability sampling method
It is defined as a sampling technique
in which the researcher selects
sample based on the subjective
judgment of the researcher rather
than random selection.
This type of sampling is easier and
cheaper to access but it has higher
risk of sampling bias.
Conti….
This means the inferences you can
make about the population are
weaker than with probability
samples, and your conclusion may be
more limited
NON PROBABILITY SAMPLING CONTI…
If you use non probability sample
you should still arm to make it
representative of the population as
possible.
Non-probability sampling techniques
are often used in exploration and
qualitative research.
TYPES OF NON-PROBABILITY SAMPLING
METHOD
1.Accidental/convenience
sampling
It is also known as opportunity
sampling.
It simply includes the individuals
who happen to be most accessible to
the researcher.
NON PROBABILITY SAMPLING CONTI
 Therefore it cannot produce
generalizable results.
For example, you are researching
opinions about student support
sources in KUHES, so after each
of your classes, you ask your
fellow students to complete a
survey on the topic.
Advantages
It consumes fewer efforts
Less time consuming
It is cheap and easily accessible
Help to gather data that can be used
to generate a strong hypothesis or
research questions
DISADVANTAGES
High chance of sampling error
Sampling bias as the sample is
based on people who are willing at
the time and place that the
researcher is present.
Unable to generalize data as the
sample will be unrepresentative of
the total population.
Low external validity
2. Voluntary response sampling

Voluntary response sample is mainly

based on ease of access. Instead of
the researcher choosing the
participants and directly contracting
them, people volunteer themselves
e.g., by responding to public online
survey.
Example
IF you send out the survey to all
students at your university and a lot
of students decide to complete it.
 This can certainly give you some
insight into the topic, but the people
who reported are more likely to be
those who have strong opinions
about the student support source
Advantages

It is flexible as someone can collect

data from participant using a
platform e.g., online survey, phone
call
Quick access to data as responses
are collected in real-time
Conti…
It more accurate ,participants respond to
the survey may have higher level of
motivation and interest in the topic.
The researcher does not need to put any
efforts to find participant
Disadvantages

Selection bias as participants who

self-select may have unique
characteristics or strong opinions.
Lack of randomization
Limited control over sample
composition
Potential for misleading conclusions
Difficulty in establishing causation
Quota sampling

Firstly the population is divided into

separate subgroups and the
individuals selected from the
subgroup are based on proportion to
the size
In this sampling method, diverse
characteristics of a population such
as age, gender, social class or
ethnicity, are sampled in the
proportion that they occupy in the
Conti….
Researchers choose these individuals
according to specific traits or qualities
Advantages
Saves time
Cost-effective (saves money)
Accurate representation of the population of
interest
Disadvantages

Difficult in calculating sampling error

because quota sampling does not involve
random selection
Difficult to determine the appropriate
quotas for each subgroup as researcher
must estimate of each subgroup of the
population.
Selection bias as researcher may use
judgmental or convenience sampling to
select the participants to meet quotas.
3. Judgmental or purposive sampling

In this type of sampling can use

logic, common sense or sound
judgment to select a sample that is
representative of a large population.
This can be based on factors such as
knowledge, experience or opinion.
The researcher chooses participants
who they believe will be most likely
to provide useful information
Advantages
It is more accurate than random
sampling since the is deliberately
choosing participants based on their
own knowledge and experience.
It minimizes margin errors
It can be faster and less expertise
than other sampling methods
It can be likely to introduce bias into
the sample
Disadvantages
Limited scope as it may not provide
a comprehensive overview of the
population being studied .
It is time consuming and resource-
intensive as it requires the
researcher to make subjective
decisions about which individuals to
include in the sample.
The sample size may be small since
PROBABILITY SAMPLING METHODS

These are also known as random sampling

methods.
These are methods of sampling in which
every member of the population has a
known and non-zero chance of being
selected to be a part of the sample.
 In probability sampling each individual in
the population has an equal chance of being
selected.
It is mainly used in quantitative research.
TYPES OF PROBABILITY SAMPLING
1.Simple random sampling
In this type of probability sampling
every person in a population has an
equal chance of being selected to be
part of the sample but those
participants should have same
characteristics.
Typically done through a random
selection process, such as using a
Advantages

Participant has an equal and fair

chance of being selected.
It is unbiased and unaffected by the
research team.
Easy to conduct
Disadvantages

Difficult in accessing full population

list.
Cost and resource intensiveness
Potential bias with incomplete list.
When the sample set is not large
enough to adequately represent the
full population, bias can occur.
2.Systematic sampling
This is a type of probability sampling
method in which sample members
from a large population are selected
accordingly to a random starting
point but with a fixed periodic
sample.
Sampling interval is calculated by
dividing the population size by the
desired size.
Steps to create a systematic sample
 defining the population
 settling on a sample size
 assigning every member of the
population a number
 calculating the sampling interval
choosing a starting point and identifying.

.
EXAMPLE
In a population of 10000 people, a
statistician selects every 100th
person for sampling
Advantages

It is easy to conduct and

understand.
It provides an increased degree of
control compared to other sampling
methods
Disadvantages

Possible biasness if there is a pattern in a

sampling frame that is not representative
of a population.
 leads to bias as only certain individuals
are selected based on their position in the
sampling frame
Difficult in adjusting for systematic errors,
if there are systematic errors inherit in the
sampling process
3.Stratified sampling method

This involves dividing the

population, into homologous groups,
each group containing subject with
similar characteristics.
The population is divided into
subgroups or strata and then
selecting a random sample from each
stratum
Advantages
It is effective and there is reduced variability
within the sample.
It enables researchers to analyze and compare
different subgroups within the population.
Researchers have more control over the
composition of the sample.
Account for stratification variables, when there
are known variables in population that could
influence the results.
Disadvantages

It is time consuming

Difficult in determining appropriate
strata, as it requires know the
characteristics of the samples
Potential for oversampling or under
sampling. If the stratification
variables are not well-defined .
4.Cluster sampling method

This is where the population is

divided into groups/clusters and a
random sample of these clusters is
selected for data collection.
In this sampling, all individuals
within a selected clusters are
included in the sample.
Advantages
It is cost-effective in sense that it reduces
the expenses associated with reaching
and sampling individuals scattered across
a wide geographic area.
It is convenient and logically feasible
especially when the population is large
and geographical dispersed.
Preservation of natural variation and
structure of the population.
Disadvantages

Analysis complexity: in this method

which has been collected can be
more complex as researchers need to
account for clustering of
observations and potential
correlation within clusters to draw
valid conclusion.
Conti…
It has potential for clustering effects: it
can lead to biased estimates and affect the
generalizability of the finding.
Reduced precision as it may not fully
represent the diversity of the population.
Multi-stage cluster sampling

It is a method that combines elements

of both multistage sampling and cluster
sampling.
 In multistage clustered sampling, the
population is divided into clusters at
multiple levels and a sample is selected
from each level in stage.
It actually used in a large and
geographically dispersed environment.
Advantages

Efficiency: it allows researchers

sample a large geographical dispersed
population in a systematic and
structured manners.
Flexibility: offers flexibility in
selecting clusters at multiple levels.
Enhanced precision: including
multiple stages of sampling increases
precision of estimates.
disadvantages
Complexity, it can be complex to
implement and analyze requiring
careful planning.
Potential for bias.
Resource –intensive
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
References
Alkassim, S, R., Musa, A, S & Ethicon, I (2015).Comparison
Of Convenience Sampling and Purposive sampling.
American journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics
Glen, S. 2023. Simple Random Sample Definition and
examples-Elementary statistics for the rest of us.
Https://www.ststistics how to.com/probability-and –
statistics/statistics definition/simple-random sample
Nikolopoulou, k. (2022). What is convenience sampling? |
Definitions and examples.Scribbr.retrieved March
29,2023 from
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/sampling
Moslem, B., &Farman, M. (2021, July 24). A beginner's
Guide to Sampling in Medical Research. 2(2).