Practical Research 1

Quarter 4 – Module 2:
SAMPLING PROCEDURE

Prepared by:
JEFERLYNE F. PERDIDO
Subject Teacher

Lesson 1: Sampling Procedure

In qualitative research, the researcher has full control of the number of participants
needed for his/her study to obtain enough data to sufficiently describe the phenomenon of
interest and address the research question. But unlike qualitative research, quantitative
research focuses more on the accurate number of sample size. This module would help you
understand how to determine sample size using the Slovin’s formula.
Before you proceed to this lesson, take note of the following terms first:
• Sample. It refers to an individual that represents the entire population of target
respondents of the study. This is the subgroup of the population
• Population. It refers to a group of individuals that the researcher is interested in
studying and usually has common or similar characteristics.
• Sample size. It refers to the number of elements in the population that is included in
the study.
 • Sampling frame. It refers to a complete list of all cases in the population from which
the sample will be drawn (e.g. master list of Grade 12 students in a certain school).

Reason of using Sample in Research

The researchers must know the sample size of their study. It is a waste of resources if
the researchers include all the elements in their target population. According to Prieto, Naval
and Carey (2017), the following are some reasons for the use of samples:
• Using sample saves time compared to complete census.
• Using sample saves money because it is less costly.
• Using sample allows more particular attention to be given to several elements than
doing a census.
• Using sample can lessen the sampling error in the survey.

Sampling Strategy in Quantitative Research

Sampling strategy is an important step to ensure that your data truly reflects the
characteristics of your target population. Mukherjee (2019) cites steps in formulating sampling
plan in quantitative research.

1. Define your sample and target population.

Most of the time, it is hard to survey all elements of your target population, so you may come up with a smaller
number that may represent your target population. For example, it may not be feasible to visit all 10,000 students
in your target school. Instead, you’d want to choose a smaller sample that would be representative of the
population and reflect its characteristics.
2. Define your sample size.
There are no strict rules for selecting a sample size. You can decide based on the objectives of
the project, time available, and budget. In order to come up with accurate sample size, you will
need to determine the degree of accuracy that you want to achieve. For this, you’ll need to
establish the confidence interval (margin of error) and confidence level of your sample. The
confidence level tells you how sure you want to be and is expressed as a percentage. It
represents how often the responses from your selected sample reflect the responses of the total
population. Thus, a 95% confidence level means you can be 95% certain. The lower the
confidence level, the less certain you will be. There are many formulas used in computing your
sample size. And one of those is the Slovin’s formula.
3. Define your sampling technique.
There are two sampling techniques you’ll use to select sample from your target population.
The sampling technique that’s right for you depends on the nature and objectives of your
project. Sampling techniques is divided into two types:
a. probability sampling (random sampling) which gives equal chances of selection to all
elements of the population; and
b. non-probability sampling (non-random sampling) is an unequal selection of samples from
the population.

Slovin’s Formula
Solving for an accurate sample size needs a deep understanding of statistics. There are a lot of
formulas used in determining the sample size of quantitative research. One of the most
common statistical formulas used by researchers in determining sample size is Slovin’s
formula.
Slovin’s formula is a statistical formula used to obtain an accurate sample size (n) given the
population (N) and margin of error (e). The margin of error (e) is the allowable error margin in
research. Slovin's Formula calculates the number of samples required when the population is
too large to directly sample every member.
The sample size can be obtained using the formula:
𝑵𝑵
𝒏𝒏 =
𝟏𝟏 + 𝑵𝑵𝒆𝒆𝟐𝟐
Where: n = sample size
N = total population
e = margin of error
Example 1.
Mr. X conducts his study on Brgy. Caniogan, Pasig City. The total number of residences
is 3,800 according to the residence list in barangay. Mr. X uses a five percent margin of error to
come up with the total number of participants of his study which is 362.
• The population is 3,800.
• The sampling frame used is the residence list in barangay Caniogan.
• The sample size obtained is 362 using Slovin’s formula with five percent margin of
error.

Example 2:
A researcher wants to conduct a survey. The population of a big school where the researcher
wishes to get his respondents is 11,000. Find the sample size if the margin of error is 5%.

Step 1. Identify the givens:

n=? N = 11,000 E = 5% need to convert into 0.05

Step 2. Using the Slovin’s formula, substitute the given data.

𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝒏𝒏 =
𝟏𝟏 + (𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎)(𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎)𝟐𝟐

Step 3. Solve the denominator part first. Follow PEMDAS.

11, 000 11000 11000
𝑛𝑛 = = =
1 + (11, 000)(0,05)2 1 + 27.5 28.5
Step 4. Divide the data to get the sample size
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝒏𝒏 = = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓 𝒖𝒖𝒖𝒖 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑
𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟓𝟓
Then the sample size that the researchers need is 386. Take note that if your final answer is in decimal form,
always rounded up to whole number.

Activity 1: Solve Me!

In your study, the size of the population is 10,000. What is the size of your sample if you allow a 2%
margin of error?

The table below could help you on deciding the sample size in a specific number of population and margin
of error as cited by Sevilla (Colombo Plan Staff College 2018).

Table 1. Sample Size for Specified Margin of Errors

Activity 2: Complete Me!
Direction: Supply the words that will complete the thoughts of the paragraph. Choose your
answer in the box below. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.

It is important that the researchers know the (1)_________________ of their study. It is a

waste of resources if the researchers include all the (2) ______________ in their target
(3)_________________. Using (4)______________ saves (5)___________ compared to complete
(6)_____________. It also saves money because it is less (7)____________. It allows more particular
attention to be given to a number of elements than doing a census thus less sampling
(8)__________ in survey. In order to have an accurate sample size, (9)________________ was used.

Activity 3: Solve Me!

Direction: Solve for the sample size of given problem using Slovin’s formula. Show your
complete solution.

1. In your study, the size of your population is 27,150. What is the size of your sample if you
allow a 5% margin of error?

2. In your research, your population is 20,000 and the margin of error you allow is 5%, what is
your representative sample size?

3. Supposedly, you want to conduct research in a certain community with a population of

8,130. What would be your sample size if you used a 0.01 margin of error?

Activity 4
Directions: Read and analyze the following statements. Choose the letter of the best answer by
writing it in a separate sheet of paper.

1. What do you call a complete list of all cases in the population from which the sample will be
drawn?
A. Population C. Sampling frame
B. Sample D. Sampling Techniques
2. What is the purpose of confidence level in research?
A. To know how confident the researcher her chosen samples
B. To determine the range of which the likelihood of response occurs
C. To know the level of mistakes that the researcher could commit in his/her study
D. To determine how sure the researcher that the response of the selected sample would
represent the total population
3. Which of the following statements is true about the determination of samples in quantitative
research?
A. The sample size must be statistically accurate.
B. Sample size depends on the researcher’s decision.
C. Sample size needs to cover all elements in the population.
D. The sample size must not exceed 100 participants regardless of population size.
4. A researcher conducted his study in three selected private schools in Pasig City. The total
number of employees in the three schools is 850. The researcher decided to use Slovin’s
formula and use a 5% margin of error. What would be the sample size that the researcher could
come up with?
A. 200 B. 257 C. 272 D. 350
5. Suppose that you have a group of 3,210 target students for your research study and you
want to survey them to find out how mobile games affect their class performance. Find the
sample size of your target respondents using 0.03 margin of error?
A. 823.70 B. 824.00 C. 824.40 D. 826.00
Lesson 2: Probability Sampling Techniques
Probability Sampling
The selection of components of the sample that will give a representative view of the
whole is known as the sampling technique. Selecting samples can be biased or unbiased. This
lesson focuses on selecting sample unbiasedly. This is called probability sampling.
Probability Sampling refers to a sampling technique in which samples are obtained
using some objective chance mechanism, thus involving randomization. Please take note that
(1) if your population is LESS THAN 50, go away from probability sampling and (2) your
sample size should be AT LEAST 30. Probability sampling techniques give all elements of the
population an equal chance of being selected but using this technique may consume a lot of
time and effort of the researchers.
After having your target population and sample, it is time to decide how to select the
sample of the study. There are different types of selecting samples under probability
sampling.

Types of Probability Sampling Techniques

According to Prieto, Naval, and Carey (2017) and Faltado et al. (2017), below are the types of
probability sampling techniques used in quantitative research.

1. Simple Random Sampling. This is the basic probability sampling design in which the
chance of selection is the same for every member of the population. To conduct this sampling
technique, the researcher should ensure first that he/she has the complete list of all the
elements (sampling frame) of his/her target population. From the list, the sample is drawn
so that all elements have equal number of chances to be selected.

Here are ways of selecting samples:

• By utilizing a TABLE OF RANDOM NUMBERS
• By using the LOTTERY TECHNIQUES / FISHBOWL METHOD
• By using DIGITAL RANDOM PICKER APPLICATION

Example:
The researcher’s target respondents are all Grade 12 students. Suppose there are 800
Grade 12 students and he only needs to select 470 as the sample. Using simple random
sampling, the researcher puts the 800 names of Grade 12 students in a box and then pick
only 470 names to participate in his study.
2. Systematic Random Sampling. It is a sampling that follows regular intervals from a list.
It has specific steps and procedures in doing the random selection of the samples. With this
sampling technique, it may spread the selected samples evenly across the entire population
than simple random sampling.
Here are the steps to follow in doing this technique:
1. Number all the participants in the population from 1 to N (N is the total population).
2. Compute for the sample size.
3. Divide the population to the desired sample size (population ÷ sample size = number
interval).
4. Randomly pick a number between 1 to the value you obtain from step 3.
5. Start counting from the number you get in step 4 using the interval you get from
step 3.

Example:
For instance, the population size of your study is 500 and you come up with 100 as
your sample size. You decided to use the systematic sampling technique in your study.

Step 3: 500 ÷ 100 = 5 (your interval will be every 5th in the list);

Step 4: The number you obtain in first step is 5, then you must choose one number from 1
to 5 as your starting point. Let us say you choose number 3.
Step 5: Since you choose number 3, then you are going to start counting from number 3 and
follow by every 5th in the list.

Therefore, your respondents will be the students listed as number 3, 8, 13, 18, 23…
until it reaches the maximum number which is 500.

3. Stratified Random Sampling. The population is divided into groups called strata and
then simple random sampling is applied in selecting samples from each group. This is the
best random sampling method when the researcher wishes to have a representative sample
of population.

Example:
The target population of the researcher is 1200 junior high school students with the
desired sample size of 800. The researcher gets the number of students per level. And then
divide each number of students per level by the total population of 1200 and multiply by the
desired sample size of 300. Using the illustration below, it clearly defines that the researchers
would get 233 respondents from 1st year high school, 200 respondents from 2nd year high
school, 187 respondents from 3rd year high school, and 180 respondents from 4th year high
school.

4. Cluster Sampling. The largest scale surveys used the cluster sampling method. It is used
when the target respondents in a research study are spread across a GEOGRAPHICAL
LOCATION. In this method, the population is group into what we called CLUSTER. Simple
random sampling is used in selecting the cluster.

Example:
Mr. X wants to explore the performance of LGU employees across various parts of NCR.
Mr. X creates 16 clusters of LGU units. He then randomly selects 5 clusters to conduct his
research. And all the employees of the selected clusters are included in the study.

5. Multi-Stage Sampling. This refers to the procedure as in cluster sampling which moves
through a series of stages.

Example:
An organization intends to conduct a survey to analyze the performance of
smartphones across Philippines. They divided the entire country’s population into cities
(clusters) and randomly selected five cities out of all the cities. And then the organization
randomly picks only one barangay in each city and filters all the people in each selected
barangay who use smartphones.
Activity 1
Directions: Accomplish the following activities in your research notebook.
Read and analyze the following statements. Identify the word/s being described in each
statement.
________1. It is a sampling technique that uses the fishbowl method.
________2. It includes a series of stages before arriving at the final samples.
________3. In cluster sampling, the population is divided into groups called __.
________4. It is sampling technique used when the target population is scattered in a different
geographical area.
________5. This is a process of selecting a sample that represents the total population.
________6. In stratified random sampling, the population is divided into groups called __.
________7. It refers to a sampling technique in which samples are obtained using some objective
chance mechanism.
________8. It is a sampling that follows regular intervals from a list.
________9. It is a type of probability sampling where the chance of selection is the same for
every member of the population.
________10. It is a type of probability sampling where respondents are divided into groups and in
each group the research selects samples.

Activity 2
Directions: Read and analyze the following statements. Choose the letter of the best answer.
Write your answer in your notebook.
1. What sampling technique follows regular intervals from a list?
A. Cluster Sampling C. Stratified Random Sampling
B. Simple Random Sampling D. Systematic Random Sampling
2. What sampling technique uses the procedure of cluster sampling which moves through a
series of stages?
A. Cluster Sampling C. Simple Random Sampling
B. Multi-Stage Sampling D. Systematic Random Sampling
3. Which of the following statements shows the weakness of probability sampling?
A. Probability sampling selects sample unbiasedly.
B. Probability sampling is costly and time consuming.
C. Probability sampling involves randomization in selecting a sample.
D. Probability sampling gives an unequal chance of selection for every element of the
population.
4. Which of the following scenario is an example of stratified random sampling?
A. The teacher randomly picks students’ name through their index card for recitation.
B. The owner of the store decided to randomly pick five employees to win the Christmas
prizes.
C. The vlogger randomly selects two students in every section of a certain school to include
in his vlog.
D. The private organization randomly selected one school in Pasig and all the students of
the selected schools were given school supplies.

5. In a certain public school in Pasig, the researcher picked his sample using a draw lots where
all the names of the students are placed in one box. What type of probability sampling
technique was used in the scenario?
A. Cluster Sampling C. Simple Random Sampling
B. Multi-Stage Sampling D. Systematic Random Sampling

Lesson 3: Non-Probability Sampling Techniques

Non-Probability Sampling
If probability sampling gives an equal chance of selection to all members of the
population, non-probability sampling is a sampling technique that does not give all the
samples in the population equal chances of being selected. The selection of samples is based
on the subjective judgment or biased decision of the researchers (Faltado et al 2017).
Using non-probability sampling could be less time consuming and less hassle for the
researchers. The downfall of this sampling method is that an unknown part of the entire
population is not sampled. This means that the sample may or may not accurately represent
the entire population. Thus, the results of the research study might not be used in
generalizations referring to the entire population (explorable.com 2009).

Types of Non-Probability Sampling

As cited in the works of Faltado et al. (2017) and Ballera et al. (2019), below are the
types of non-probability sampling techniques used in quantitative research.

1. Convenience Sampling. This is a method of selecting samples that are conveniently

available to participate in the researchers’ study. This method is also called opportunity
sampling or availability sampling. Respondents are chosen simply because they are the most
convenient to recruit. Thus, this technique is considered the easiest, the cheapest, and the
least time-consuming.

Example:
The researchers set a time and date to conduct a survey on a public area like mall and
park to quickly obtain public opinion on an issue about the election of public officials. This
is a convenience sampling because those people who are available in the time of the survey
got a chance of participating in the study while those people who are not available at the time
of the survey were not given a chance of being selected.
2. Purposive Sampling. This is also called judgmental or subjective sampling. In this
method, the researcher chooses only those respondents that he thinks are suitable to
participate in his research study.

Example:
The researchers conducted a study on why Grade 11 chooses TVL tracks over Academic
tracks. They found samples by asking first the question “Are you planning to go to the
university?”. Those who would say “Yes” would not be included in the study because the aim
of the researchers was to have respondents who would work after graduating from senior
high school.

3. Quota Sampling. It is a sampling technique wherein the researcher makes sure of equal
or proportionate representation of subjects depending on which trait is considered as a basis
of the quota. The bases of the quota are usually age, gender, education, race, religion, and
socioeconomic status.

Example:
The researchers decided to use 100 college students in their school as the respondents of
their study. They applied quota sampling in selecting their respondents. They decided to use
the year level as the basis of their quota. Since they aimed to have equal representation, they
selected 25 1st year students, 25 2nd year students, 25 3rd year, and 25 4th year students.

4. Snowball Sampling. This is also called chain-referral sampling. A sampling technique

wherein the researcher looks for a respondent to participate in the study then asks that
respondent to refer another respondent who would be also possible to participate in the
study. This is used when the researcher finds it difficult to locate special numbers of a
population.

Example:
The researcher conducts research involving an ethnic group called Mangyans.
According to the official record, there are about 8,000 Mangyans in the Philippines. But it is
difficult to locate those subjects because some have little contact with the outside world. So,
once the researcher gets in touch with his first respondents, s/he would probably ask his/her
first respondents for a referral to have another respondent. That process would continue until
the researcher has enough numbers for respondents to cover his/her study.
Activity 1: Multiple Choice
Directions: Read and analyze the following statements. Choose the letter of the best answer.
Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. What type of non-probability sampling is used when the researcher purposively selects
his/her respondents based on their own judgment?
A. Convenience Sampling C. Quota Sampling
B. Purposive Sampling D. Snowball Sampling

2. What type of non-probability sampling uses the referral method?

A. Convenience Sampling C. Quota Sampling
B. Purposive Sampling D. Snowball Sampling
3. Which of the following statements shows the true weakness of non-probability sampling
techniques?
A. Non-probability sampling is not accurate to use.
B. Non-probability sampling is costly and time consuming.
C. Non-probability sampling gives an unequal chance of selection.
D. Non-probability sampling involves randomization in selecting a sample.

4. Which of the following scenarios is an example of convenience sampling?

A. Researchers make a quota for the number of their respondents based on socio-economic
status.
B. Researchers select their respondents based on the standard they set for the participants
of their study.
C. Researchers gather the participants of their study based on the recommendation of the
other respondents.
D. Researchers stand by in front of the school main gate and ask the first 50 students who
pass by that area to be their respondents.

5. Due to the difficulty experienced by the researcher in finding his target respondents, he
humbly asked every participant he had if s/he knows someone who would be able to help him
with the data he needed. Luckily, through the referral method, he finally completed his data.
What type of non-probability sampling technique was used by the researcher?
A. Convenience Sampling C. Quota Sampling
B. Purposive Sampling D. Snowball Sampling

Activity 2
Directions: Accomplish the following activities in a separate sheet of paper.

A. Identify what is being described in each item. Choose the letter of your answer in the box.
_____1. It is a type of research which commonly uses non-probability sampling.
_____2. Probability sampling is to objective; non-probability sampling is to _.
_____3. This is the selection of sample in non-probability sampling.
_____4. This is a kind of sampling wherein the researcher selects samples based on the researcher’s
knowledge and credibility.
_____5. It is a type of sampling technique that does not give all members of the population equal
chances of selection.
_____6. It is also known as availability sampling.
_____7. The limitation that researchers set in quota sampling is called __.
_____8. The non-probability sampling is different from probability sampling because it does not
follow ___.
_____9. It is a sampling that use the referral method because the researcher asks respondents to
refer to another possible respondent.
_____10. It is a type of non-probability sampling where the researcher divides the population into a
group with the basis of quota.

B. In each of the following situations, identify the sampling method being used.
1. A group of students wishes to conduct a study on a certain university with 5000 students.
Their target respondents are 100. They simply stand at the main gate of the school and ask
the first 100 persons that pass by in that area.
2. A researcher wanted to investigate a certain issue regarding same-sex marriage. He then asks
someone who is suitable to his study, then asks that respondent to refer him someone else
who can also participate in his study.
3. A group of NGO volunteers is conducting research regarding the good lifestyle of people. They
conducted their study in a certain mall and only ask people who dress well and look healthy.
4. A group of researchers wants to study the career goal of Senior High School students on their
school with a total of 6,000 students. They found out that 60% of the students are Grade 11
and 40% of them are Grade 12. Their target sample is 500. The researchers get the 60% and
40% of 500 to come up with their sample size.
5. Mr. Yu makes a study about the environmental engineers but can only name 5. He asks these
engineers if they knew any others. They give him some others who in return make additional
contacts. In this way, Mr. Yu manages to contact 50 other environmental engineers.