SAMPLING STRATEGIES
DR. M. FARAN
POPULATION
A population is the total of all the individuals who have certain
characteristics and are of interest to a researcher.
Set of all cases of interest.
Teachers
Early Adults
College Students
SAMPLE
A sample is a subset of the population.
A sample is “a smaller collection of units from a
population used to determine truths about that
population” (Field, 2005)
WHY SAMPLES?
What is your population of interest?
To whom do you want to generalize your results?
All doctors
School children
College students
Cardiac patients
Divorced women
Women aged 15-45 years
Other
Can you sample the entire population?
If yes, when?
WHY SAMPLES?
Get information about large populations
Less costs
Less field time
More accuracy
Parsimonious
When it’s impossible to study the whole population
SAMPLING
Sampling is the process of selecting units e.g., people,
organizations
The sampling frame is the list from which the potential
respondents are drawn.
Careful selection allows researchers to generalize results
back to the population from which sample is drawn
SAMPLING
The ability to generalize from sample to population depends
on the representativeness of sample
Population: 40% males & 60% females
In sample of 200, 80 males and 120 females is
representative sample
Over representation
Underrepresentation
SAMPLING STRATEGIES
Probability Sampling
Non Probability Sampling
PROBABILITY SAMPLING
Probability that every element has an equal chance of being
selected in the sample
Random sampling
Each subject has a known probability of being selected
Simple random sampling
Stratified random sampling
Cluster sampling
Systematic sampling
Multi-stage sampling
SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING
•Applicable when population is small, homogeneous & readily available
•Each element of the population has an equal probability of selection.
•All elements of Population are known.
•A table of random number or lottery system (fish-bowl) or simple
computer draw can be used to determine which units are to be selected.
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SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING
(RANDOM NUMBER TABLE)
RANDOM NUMBER TABLE
684257954125632140
582032154785962024
362333254789120325
985263017424503686
FISH-BOWL SAMPLING
SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
Arranging the target population according to some order and
then selecting elements at regular intervals through that
ordered list.
It involves a random start and then proceeds with the selection
of every kth element from then onwards. In this case,
k=(population size/sample size).
A simple example would be to select every 10th name from the
telephone directory (an 'every 10th' sample, also referred to as
'sampling with a skip of 10').
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SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
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STRATIFIED SAMPLING
• Where population embraces a number of distinct categories,
the frame can be organized into separate "strata”.
• Each stratum is then sampled as an independent sub-
population, out of which individual elements can be randomly
selected.
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STRATIFIED SAMPLING
Proportionate Stratified Sampling
Disproportionate Stratified sampling
STRATIFIED SAMPLING
Draw a sample from each
stratum
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CLUSTER SAMPLING
Cluster: a group of sampling units close to each other i.e.
crowding together in the same area or neighborhood
Population divided into clusters of homogeneous units, usually
based on geographical contiguity.
It is an example of 'two-stage sampling' .
At first stage a sample of areas is chosen;
In second stage a sample of respondents within those areas is selected
randomly.
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CLUSTER SAMPLING
Two types of cluster sampling methods.
One-stage sampling. All of the elements within selected clusters are
included in the sample.
Two-stage sampling. A subset of elements within selected clusters
are randomly selected for inclusion in the sample.
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Cluster sampling
Section 1 Section 2
Section 3
Section 5
Section 4
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
STRATA AND CLUSTERS
In stratified sampling, the population is divided
into strata according to some variables that are
thought to be related to the variables that we
are interested in Then a sample is taken from
every stratum. In cluster sampling, the
population is divided into clusters and a sample
of clusters is taken.
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MULTISTAGE SAMPLING
Complex form of cluster sampling in which two or more levels
of units are embedded one in the other.
First stage, random number of districts chosen in all states.
Followed by random number of villages.
Then third stage units will be houses.
All ultimate units (houses, for instance) selected at last step
are surveyed.
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Evaluation
Probability samples are the best,
which ensure representativeness
Generalizable
Less biased
NON-PROABABILITY SAMPLING
A sample in which no guarantee that each element of
population has same chance of being included.
No way to assess the probability of inclusion of each
element.
That does not follow the rules of probability sampling.
TYPES OF NONPROBABILITY SAMPLING
Accidental sampling
Convenient sampling
Purposive sampling
Judgmental sampling
Quota sampling
Snowball sampling
Use results that are easy to get
HAPHAZARD SAMPLING
In this a researcher selects any case he comes across
that seriously misinterprets the population.
Its cheap and quick.
Can produce ineffective and highly unrepresentative
samples.
ACCIDENTAL SAMPLING
Accidental sampling involves selecting respondents
primarily on the basis of their availability and willingness
to respond.
Call in surveys on TV
Pols by papers regarding any issue
CONVENIENCE SAMPLING
Is merely as available, which appears to offer
answers of your interest.
There is no evidence that they are representative of
the population we are interested in generalizing to.
PURPOSIVE SAMPLING
Researcher samples with a purpose in mind
Usually have one/more specific predefined groups or screened
them out.
Investigator selects the elements to be included in the sample
on the basis of their special characteristics with specific
purpose of the study
Such study can only be conducted on that particular
population.
JUDGMENTAL SAMPLING
The researcher uses his/her judgment in selecting the units
from the population for study based on the population.
Such person must have long experience in conducting
surveys
Correct grasp of the objective of surveys.
Unbiased attitude to use his judgment.
QUOTA SAMPLING
The population is first segmented into sub-groups, just as in stratified
sampling.
Then select subjects or units from each segment based on a specified
proportion.
For example, an interviewer may be told to sample 200 females and 300
males between the age of 45 and 60.
It is this second step which makes the technique one of non-probability
sampling because selection of the sample is non-random.
SNOWBALL SAMPLING
Method of identifying and sampling the cases in a
network.
Based on analogy of snowball, which begins small but
becomes larger as it is rolled on and picks up additional
snow.
Is multistage that begins with one or few people or cases
and spreads out on the basis of links to the initial cases
Evaluation
Potential for Bias
Unable to generalize
it's very cost- and time-effective.
It's also easy to use
Can be used when it's impossible to conduct probability sampling
