POPULATIONS AND SAMPLES

Dr. F.D. Omisakin (FWACN)

RN, PhD Nursing, Dept. of
Nursing, Edo University Iyamho
Population
• Refers to an entire group of individuals
or objects. It is the entire group or
collection of cases, objects or subjects
that meet the criteria of the researcher.
Populations are not restricted to human
subjects. A population might consist of
all the hospital records on file in a
particular hospital or all the blood
samples taken from clients.
Accessible or source population
• Is the aggregate of cases that conform to
designated criteria and that are accessible as
subjects for a study.
Target population
• Is the aggregate of cases about which the
researcher would like to generalize. A target
population might consist of all diabetic people
in Elele, but the accessible population might
consist of all diabetic people who are admitted
into Madonna Univ. Teach. Hospital.
Sample and sampling
• The ideal for all researcher is to study
the whole population in relation to the
study phenomenon, this is not always
possible, due to various reasons such
as access, cost, designs considerations
and, people/objects ability to
participate in the study (inclusion and
exclusion criteria).
• Thus, researchers extract, choose or select a
group of objects, (i.e. the sample) from the
true population. The primary aim is to get a
sample that is close to the true population as
possible in terms of its characteristics and
other traits.
Sampling
• Is the process of selecting representative
units of a population for study in a research
investigation. The purpose of sampling is to
increase the efficiency of a research study.
• A sampling frame is a list of all the units
in the population from which a sample will
be selected.
• A sample is a subset of population
elements. An element is the most basic
unit about which information is collected.
Representative sample
• A representative sample is one whose key
characteristics closely approximate those of
the population.
• A representative sample allows the researcher
to make generalizations on the true
population based on the sample.
• If the sample is not representative of the
population, the external validity (and the
construct validity) of the study is at risk. The
key consideration in assessing a sample in a
quantitative study is its representativeness.
• In order to draw a representative sample, the
researcher must systematically select each
unit in a specified way under controlled
conditions.
The process drawing a representative
sample involves four steps:
1.Define population
2.Develop a sampling frame
3.Calculate the size of your sample
4.Use a table of random numbers or
another similar technique and
select the desired value.
Sampling Technique/Approaches
1.Probability sampling
2.Non-probability sampling
Probability Sampling
• Also referred to a random sampling. Here the
likelihood of the sample being representative
of population and its characteristics is great.
• To obtain a probability sample, the researcher
must know all the elements of the population,
this is often found in a sampling frame.
• A probability sampling method is any
method of sampling that utilizes some
form of random selection.
• The sample is selected in such a way that
each unit within the population has a
known chance of being selected.
• It is this concept of “known chance” that
allows for the projection of characteristics
based on the sample to the population via
statistical methods.
• In order to have a random selection
method, you must set up some process
or procedure that assures that the
different units in your population have
equal probability of being chosen, as
picking a name out of hat, or choosing
the short straw.
• These days, we tend to use computers
as the mechanism for generating
random numbers.
Types of Probability Sampling
1. Simple Random Sampling
• This is the simplest form of random sampling.
Main feature of this approach is that it involves a
one stage selection process and each element in
the population has an equal chance of being
selected.
2. Stratified Random Sampling
• Sometimes called proportional or quota random
sampling, involves dividing your population into
homogeneous subgroups and then taking a simple
random sample in each subgroup.
• The segments are based on some predetermined
criteria such as geographic location, size or
demographic characteristics.
Reasons for using stratified sampling:
• It assures that you will be able to represent not
only the overall population, but also key
subgroups of the population.
• Useful when there is minority group that may be
overlooked through simple random sampling
due to element of chance.
• It provides overall representation therefore has
more statistical precision.
Disadvantage
• Require extensive knowledge of the
population and all its elements to develop
strata, it is costly and time consuming.
3. Systematic sampling
• The researcher selects the subjects from
population list at fixed intervals (in
systematic order). The sampling interval
refers to the standard distance between the
units selected for the sample.
4. Cluster (Area) Random Sampling
• This approach allows the researcher to
overcome the constraints of costs and the
time associated with a very dispersed
population.
Takes place in stages:
• Divide population into clusters
• Randomly sample clusters
• Randomly (simple random or stratified)
elements from each cluster, as per the value
required.
Disadvantage
• Due to the various stages of sampling required,
there is a greater chance of sampling bias and
error that occurs.
• Data analysis becomes complex when handling
data from cluster sampling.
5. Multi-stage sampling
• This is a variation of the sample or cluster
sampling in which the sample is chosen in
steps. The method is used when the population
is very large and extensive,
Non-probability sampling
• This may not accurately represent the
population.
• Economical and convenient option and used
when the researcher cannot or is unable to locate
the entire population, where access is limited
and it is not possible to determine the
representativeness of each element (person or
object) of the population.
• It cannot establish who has the an equal chance
of being included or not.
Types of Non-probability sampling
1.Accidental or convenience sampling
• Is a process of selecting a group of individuals
who are available for study.
2. Purposive sampling
• Is when the researcher uses personal knowledge
of the population to select a sample that is
thought to be representative.
• The researcher identifies individuals who are
considered to be typical of the population and
select them as sample
3. Snowball sampling
• Is derived from the analogy of a snowball that
begins as a small size but becomes bigger and
bigger as it roll downhill.
4. Quota sampling
• Refers to a method of non-probability sampling
in which the researcher’s knowledge about the
target population is used to build some
representativeness into the sample.
• The researcher identifies the strata of the
population and proportionally represents the
different strata in the sample.