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UNIT-II

Unit-II Sampling Methods

2.1 Sampling Methods
2.2 Advantages and Limitations
2.3 Sampling and Non-Sampling Errors
2.4 Random sampling methods
2.5 Simple Random Sampling
2.6 Systematic Sampling
2.7 Stratified Sampling
2.8 Non-Radom sampling methods
-- (No Derivations, Only Concepts).

2.1 Sampling Methods

Sampling is very often used in our
daily life. For example, while purchasing
food grains from a shop we usually examine
a handful from the bag to assess the quality
of the commodity. A doctor examines a few
drops of blood as sample and draws
conclusion about the blood constitution of
the whole body. Thus, most of our
investigations are based on samples. Let us
see the importance of sampling and the
various methods of sample selections from
the population.
Population:
In a statistical study, the set of all items, which are under the study or under
consideration, is known as Population or Universe. In other words, the population is a
complete set of all possible observations of the type which is to be investigated.

Examples of population: -

➢ Set of all students studying in a school or college,

➢ Set of all books in a library,

➢ All houses in a village or town of population.

Complete Enumeration, or Census Study:

Sometimes it is possible and practical to examine every person or item in the population we
wish to describe. We call this a Complete enumeration, or Census Study. We use sampling
when it is not possible to measure every item in the population. Statisticians use the word
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population to refer not only to people. Finally, the population is set of all items/units that
have been chosen for the study.

Finite population and infinite population:

A population is said to be finite if it consists of finite number of units. Eg., number of
workers in a factory, production of articles in a particular day for a company are examples of
finite population. The total number of units in a population is called population size.

A population is said to be infinite if it has infinite number of units. For example, the
number of stars in the sky, the number of people seeing the Television programmes etc.,

Census Method:
Information on population can be collected in two ways – census method and sample
method. In census method, every element of the population is included in the investigation.
For example, if we study the average annual income of the families of a particular village or
area, and if there are 1000 families in that area, we must study the income of all 1000 families.
In this method no family is left out, as each family is a unit.

Population census of India:

The population census of our country is taken at 10 yearly intervals. The latest
census was taken in 2011. The first census was taken in 1871 – 72.
POPULATION OF INDIA 2001

India/State/ POPULATION OF INDIA 2001 Population Sex ratio

Union Variation (females per
PERSONS MALES FEMALES
territories* 1991-2001 thousand
males)
INDIA 1, 2 1,027,015,247 531,277,078 495,738,169 21.34 933
Andaman & 356,265 192,985 163,280 26.94 846
Nicobar Is.*
Andhra Pradesh 75,727,541 38,286,811 37,440,730 13.86 978
Arunachal 1,091,117 573,951 517,166 26.21 901
Pradesh
Assam 26,638,407 13,787,799 12,850,608 18.85 932
Bihar 82,878,796 43,153,964 39,724,832 28.43 921
Chandigarh* 900,914 508,224 392,690 40.33 773
Chhatisgarh 20,795,956 10,452,426 10,343,530 18.06 990
Dadra & Nagar 220,451 121,731 98,720 59.20 811
Haveli*
Daman & Diu* 158,059 92,478 65,581 55.59 709
Delhi* 13,782,976 7,570,890 6,212,086 46.31 821
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Goa 1,343,998 685,617 658,381 14.89 960

Gujarat 5 50,596,992 26,344,053 24,252,939 22.48 921
Haryana 21,082,989 11,327,658 9,755,331 28.06 861
Himachal 6,077,248 3,085,256 2,991,992 17.53 970
Pradesh 4
Jammu & 10,069,917 5,300,574 4,769,343 29.04 900
Kashmir 2, 3
Jharkhand 26,909,428 13,861,277 13,048,151 23.19 941
Karnataka 52,733,958 26,856,343 25,877,615 17.25 964
Kerala 31,838,619 15,468,664 16,369,955 9.42 1,058
Lakshadweep* 60,595 31,118 29,477 17.19 947
Madhya Pradesh 60,385,118 31,456,873 28,928,245 24.34 920
Maharashtra 96,752,247 50,334,270 46,417,977 22.57 922
Manipur 2,388,634 1,207,338 1,181,296 30.02 978
Meghalaya 2,306,069 1,167,840 1,138,229 29.94 975
Mizoram 891,058 459,783 431,275 29.18 938
Nagaland 1,988,636 1,041,686 946,950 64.41 909
Orissa 36,706,920 18,612,340 18,094,580 15.94 972
Pondicherry* 973,829 486,705 487,124 20.56 1,001
Punjab 24,289,296 12,963,362 11,325,934 19.76 874
Rajasthan 56,473,122 29,381,657 27,091,465 28.33 922
Sikkim 540,493 288,217 252,276 32.98 875
Tamil Nadu 62,110,839 31,268,654 30,842,185 11.19 986
Tripura 3,191,168 1,636,138 1,555,030 15.74 950
Uttar Pradesh 166,052,859 87,466,301 78,586,558 25.80 898
Uttaranchal 8,479,562 4,316,401 4,163,161 19.20 964
West Bengal 80,221,171 41,487,694 38,733,477 17.84 934
Notes:

1. The population of India includes the estimated population of entire Kachchh district,
Morvi, Maliya-Miyana and Wankaner talukas of Rajkot district, Jodiya taluka of
Jamanagar district of Gujarat State and entire Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh
where population enumeration of Census of India 2001 could not be conducted due to
natural calamity.
2. For working out density of India, the entire area and population of those portions of
Jammu and Kashmir which are under illegal occupation of Pakistan and China have not
been taken into account.
3. Figures shown against Population in the age-group 0-6 and Literates do not include the
figures of entire Kachchh district, Morvi, Maliya-Miyana and Wankaner talukas of
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Rajkot district, Jodiya taluka of Jamanagar district and entire Kinnaur district of
Himachal Pradesh where population enumeration of Census of India 2001 could not be
conducted due to natural calamity.

4. Figures shown against Himachal Pradesh have been arrived at after including the
estimated figures of entire Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh where the population
enumeration of Census of India 2001 could not be conducted due to natural calamity.

5. Figures shown against Gujarat have been arrived at after including the estimated figures
of entire Kachchh district, Morvi, Maliya-Miyana and Wankaner talukas of Rajkot
district, Jodiya taluka of Jamnagar district of Gujarat State where the population
enumeration of Census of India 2001 could not be conducted due to natural calamity.

Merits and limitations of Census method:

Merits:
• The data are collected from each and every item/unit of the population.
• The results are more accurate and reliable, because every item of the universe is
required.
• Intensive study is possible.
• The data collected may be used for various surveys, analyses etc.
Limitations:
• It requires a large number of enumerators and it is a costly method
• It requires more money, labour, time, energy etc.
• It is not possible in some circumstances where the universe is infinite.
Sampling:
The theory of sampling has been developed recently but this is not new. In our
everyday life, we have been using sampling theory as we have discussed in introduction. In
all those cases, we believe that the samples give a correct idea about the population. Most
of our decisions are based on the examination of a few items only, ie., sample studies.
Sample:

A sample is a portion chosen from the population. A finite subset of statistical

individuals defined in a population is called a sample. The number of units in a sample is
called the sample size.
Sampling units:

The constituents of a population which are individuals to be sampled from the

population and cannot be further subdivided for the purpose of the sampling at a time are
called sampling units. For example, to know the average income per family, the head of the
family is a sampling unit. To know the average yield of rice, each farm owner’ s yield of rice
is a sampling unit.
Sampling frame:
For adopting any sampling procedure, it is essential to have a list identifying each
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sampling unit by a number. Such a list or map is called sampling frame. A list of voters, a
list of house holders, a list of villages in a district, a list of farmers etc. are a few examples of
sampling frame.
Reasons for selecting a sample:
Sampling is inevitable in the following situations:
• Complete enumerations are practically impossible when the population is infinite.
• When the results are required in a short time.
• When the area of survey is wide.
• When resources for survey are limited particularly in respect of money and trained
persons.
• When the item or unit is destroyed under investigation.
Parameters and Statistics:

We can describe samples and populations by using measures such as the mean, median,
mode and standard deviation. When these terms describe the characteristics of a population,
they are called Parameters. When they describe the characteristics of a sample, they are called
Statistics. A parameter is a characteristic of a population and a statistic is a characteristic
of a sample. Since samples are subsets of population statistics provide estimates of the
parameters. That is, when the parameters are unknown, they are estimated from the
values of the statistics.
In general, we use Greek or capital letters for population parameters and lower
case letters to denote sample statistics.
- N, μ, σ are the standard symbols for the size, mean, S.D, of population.
- n, x bar, s are the standard symbol for the size, mean, S.D of sample respectively.
Principles of Sampling:

Samples have to provide good estimates for the Population Parameters. The following
principles tell us that the sample methods provide such good estimates.

i. Principle of statistical regularity: A moderately large number of units chosen at

random from a large group are almost sure on the average to possess the
characteristics of the large group.

ii. Principle of Inertia of large numbers: Other things being equal, as the sample size
increases, the results tend to be more accurate and reliable.

iii. Principle of Validity: This states that the sampling methods provide valid estimates
about the population parameters.

iv. Principle of Optimisation: This principle takes into account the desirability of
obtaining a sampling design which gives optimum results. This minimizes the risk
or loss of the sampling design. The foremost purpose of sampling is to gather
maximum information about the population under consideration at minimum cost,
time and human power. This is best achieved when the sample contains all the
properties of the population.
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2.2 Advantages and Limitations of Sampling:

There are many advantages of sampling methods over census method.
1. Sampling saves time and labour.
2. It results in reduction of cost in terms of money and manhour.
3. Sampling ends up with greater accuracy of results.
4. It has greater scope.
5. It has greater adaptability.
6. If the population is too large, or hypothetical or destroyable, the
sampling is the only method to be used.

The limitations of sampling are given below:

1. Sampling is to be done by qualified and experienced persons. Otherwise, the

information will be unbelievable.

2. Sampling method may give the extreme values sometimes instead
of the mixed values.
3. There is the possibility of sampling errors. Census survey is free
from sampling error.

2.4 Sampling errors and non-sampling errors:

There are two types of errors in a sample survey.

They are sampling errors and non – sampling errors.

i. Sampling errors: Although a sample is a part of population, it cannot
be expected generally to supply full information about population. So,
there may be in most cases difference between Statistics and
Parameters. The discrepancy between a parameter and its estimate due
to sampling process is known as sampling error.
ii. Non-sampling errors: In all surveys, some errors may occur during
collection of actual information. These errors, other than sampling errors,
are called Non-sampling errors.
Types of Sampling:

The technique of selecting a sample is of fundamental importance in

sampling theory and it depends upon the nature of investigation. The sampling
methods (procedures) which are commonly used may be classified as
• Probability sampling.
• Non-probability sampling.
• Mixed sampling.
Probability sampling (Random sampling):

A probability sample is one where the selection of units from the

population is made according to known probabilities. (eg.) Simple random
sample, probability proportional to sample size etc.
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Non-Probability Sampling:

It is the one where discretion is used to select ‘representative’ units from

the population (or) to infer that a sample is ‘representative’ of the population.
This method is called judgement or purposive sampling. This method is
mainly used for opinion surveys; A common type of judgement sample used in
surveys is quota sample. This method is not used in general because of
prejudice and bias of the enumerator. However, if the enumerator is
experienced and expert, this method may yield valuable results. For example,
in a market research survey of the performance of the cars, suppose the
sample has all new car purchasers.
Mixed Sampling:

Here samples are selected partly according to some probability and

partly according to a fixed sampling rule; they are termed as mixed samples
and the technique of selecting such samples is known as mixed sampling.

2.4 Probability (Random) Sampling Methods of selection of samples:

There are several methods of random sampling, of which let us study one three
methods:
a) Simple random sampling.
b) Stratified random sampling.
c) Systematic random sampling.

a) Simple Random Sampling:

Simple random sampling is the sampling method used to select

a random sample from a finite population under study such that each
possible sample unit has an equal probability of being chosen. It is also
called unrestricted random sampling.

There are two approaches of Simple Random Sampling (SRS)

and are
- Without Replacement (SRS WOR) and
- With Replacement (SRS WR).
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i. Simple random sampling without replacement:

In this method, the population elements can enter the sample

only once (ie.,) the unit once selected is not returned to the
population before the next draw.
ii. Simple random sampling with replacement:

In this method, the population units may enter the sample more
than once. (ie.,) the units once selected is returned back to the
population before the next draw.

2.5 Simple Random Sampling

Methods of selection of a simple random sampling:

The following are some methods of selection of a simple random sampling.

a) Lottery Method:
This is the most popular and simplest method. In this method all the
items of the population are numbered on separate slips of paper of same size,
shape and colour. They are folded and mixed up in a container. The required
numbers of slips are selected at random for the desire sample size. For example,
if we want to select 5 students, out of 50 students, then we must write their
names or their roll numbers of all the 50 students on slips and mix them. Then
we make a random selection of 5 students. This method is mostly used in
lottery draws. If the universe is infinite this method is inapplicable.

b) Table of Random numbers:

As the lottery method cannot be used, when the population is infinite,

the alternative method is that of using the table of random numbers. There are
several standard tables of random numbers of which commonly used three
tables are:
i. Tippett’ s table
ii. Fisher and Yates’ table
iii. Kendall and Smith’ s table

A random number table is so constructed that all digits 0 to 9 appear

independent of each other with equal frequency. If we have to select a sample
from population of size N= 100, then the numbers can be combined three by
three to give the numbers from 001 to 100.
Random Number Table
RAN
DOM
NUM
BERS
4652 3819 8431 2150 2352 2472 0043 3488
9031 7617 1220 4129 7148 1943 4890 1749
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2030 2327 7353 6007 9410 9179 2722 8445

0641 1489 0828 0385 8488 0422 7209 4950
8479 6062 5593 6322 9439 4996 1322 4918
9917 3490 5533 2577 4348 0971 2580 1943
6376 9899 9259 5117 1336 0146 0680 4052
7287 0983 3236 3252 0277 8001 6058 4501
0592 4912 3457 8773 5146 2519 3931 6794
6499 9118 3711 8838 0691 1425 7768 9544
0769 1109 7909 4528 8772 1876 2113 4781
8678 4873 2061 1835 0954 5026 2967 6560
0178 7794 6488 7364 4094 1649 2284 7753
3392 0963 6364 5762 0322 2592 3452 9002
0264 6009 1311 5873 5926 8597 9051 8995
4089 7732 8163 2798 1984 1292 0041 2500
9376 7365 7987 1937 2251 3411 6737 0367
3039 3780 2137 7641 4030 1604 2517 9211
8971 8653 1855 5285 5631 2649 6696 5475
0375 4153 5199 5765 2067 6627 3100 5716
9092 4773 0002 7000 7800 2292 2933 6125
2464 1038 3163 3569 7155 2029 2538 7080
3027 6215 3125 5856 9543 3660 0255 5544
5754 9247 1164 3283 1865 5274 5471 1346
4358 3716 6949 8502 1573 5763 5046 7135
7178 8324 8379 7365 4577 4864 0629 5100
5035 5939 3665 2160 6700 7249 1738 2721
3318 0220 3611 9887 4608 8664 2185 7290
9058 1735 7435 6822 6622 8286 8901 5534
7886 5182 7595 0305 4903 3306 8088 3899
3354 8454 7386 1333 5345 6565 3159 3991
3415 7671 0846 7100 1790 9449 6285 2525
3918 5872 7898 6125 2268 1898 0755 6034
6138 9045 6950 8843 6533 0917 6673 5721
3828 1704 2835 4677 4637 7329 3156 3291
1349 0417 9311 9787 1284 0769 8422 1077
4234 0248 7760 6504 2754 4044 0842 9080
6880 3201 7044 3657 5263 0374 7563 6599
0714 5008 5076 1134 5342 1608 5179 0967
3448 6421 3304 0583 1260 0662 7257 0766
5711 7373 7539 3684 9397 5335 4031 1486
2588 3301 0553 2427 3598 2580 7017 9176
8581 4253 7404 5264 5411 3431 3092 8573
8475 6322 3949 9675 6533 1133 8776 2216
0272 5624 8549 5552 7469 2799 2882 9620
7383 7795 7939 2652 4456 6993 2950 8573
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Procedure to select a sample using random number table:

Units of the population from which a sample is required are assigned

with equal number of digits. When the size of the population is less than
thousand, three digit number 000,001,002,

….. 999 are assigned. We may start at any place and may go on in any direction
such as column wise or row- wise in a random number table. But consecutive
numbers are to be used.
On the basis of the size of the population and the random number table
available with us, we proceed according to our convenience. If any random
number is greater than the population size N, then N can be subtracted from
the random number drawn. This can be repeatedly until the number is less than
N or equal to N.
Example 1:

In an area there are 500 families. Using the following extract from a
table of random numbers select a sample of 15 families to find out the standard
of living of those families in that area.
4652 3819 8431 2150 2352 2472 0043 3488
9031 7617 1220 4129 7148 1943 4890 1749

2030 2327 7353 6007 9410 9179 2722 8445

0641 1489 0828 0385 8488 0422 7209 4950

Solution:

In the above random number table, we can start from any row or
column and read three digit numbers continuously row-wise or column wise.

Now we start from the third row, the numbers are:

203 023 277 353 600 794 109 179

272 284 450 641 148 908 280

Since some numbers are greater than 500, we subtract 500 from those
numbers and we rewrite the selected numbers as follows:

203 023 277 353 100 294 109 179

272 284 450 141 148 408 280
c) Random number selections using calculators or computers:

Random number can be generated through scientific calculator or

computers. For each press of the key get a new random number. The way of
selection of sample is similar to that of using random number table.
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Merits of using random numbers:

1. Personal bias is eliminated as a selection depends solely on chance.
2. A random sample is in general a representative sample for a homogenous population.
3. There is no need for the thorough knowledge of the units of the population.
4. The accuracy of a sample can be tested by examining another sample from
the same universe when the universe is unknown.
5. This method is also used in other methods of sampling.
Limitations:
1. Preparing lots or using random number tables is tedious when the population is large.
2. When there is large difference between the units of population, the simple
random sampling may not be a representative sample.
3. The size of the sample required under this method is more than that required by
stratified random sampling.
4. It is generally seen that the units of a simple random sample lie apart
geographically. The cost and time of collection of data are more.

2.6 Stratified Random Sampling

In Stratified random sampling, the heterogeneous population of size N units is sub-

divided into L homogeneous non overlapping sub populations called Strata, the ith
stratum having Ni units (i =1, 2, 3,…,L) such that N1+N2 +…. +NL = N.

Population

Stratum ....
n1 n2 nL

A sample size being ni from ith stratum (i=1, 2,…,L) is independently taken by
Simple Random Sampling in such way that n1+n2+… +nL = n. A sample obtained using this
procedure is called a Stratified Random Sample.
To determine the sample size for each stratum, there are two methods:
i)Proportionate Allocation: In proportionate allocation, sample size is determined as
proportionate to stratum size. If the stratum size i s large, that stratum`will get more
representation in the sample. If the stratum size is small, that stratum will get less
representation in the sample.

The sample size for the ith stratum can be determined using
the formula ni = (n/N)* Ni . If we put i=1,2,3,... L , we get n1= (n/N)* N1 ,

n2= (n/N)* N2 , ........ nL= (n/N)* NL.

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ii) Optimum Allocation: The optimum allocation method uses variation in the stratum
and cost to determine the stratum sample size ni .

Example 1 : To study about the introduction of NEET exam, the opinions are collected from 3
schools. The strength of the schools are 2000, 2500 and 4000. It is fixed that the sample size
is 170. Calculate the sample size for each school?
Solution
Here N = 2000 + 2500 + 4000 = 8500 and n = 170 then n1 = n2 = n13 = ?
N1 = 2000, N2 = 2500, N3 = 4000
School 1: n1 = (n/N)× N1 = ( 170 / 8500 ) ×2000 = 40
School 2: n2 = (n/N)× N2 = ( 170 / 8500 ) × 2500 = 50
School 3: n3 = (n/N)× N3 = ( 170 / 8500 ) × 4000 = 80
Therefore, 40 students from school 1;
50 students from school 2 and
80 students from school 3
are to be selected using Simple Random Sampling to obtain the required stratified
random sample.
The main objective of stratification is to give a better cross-section of the population
for a higher degree of relative precision. The criteria used for stratification are States, age
and sex, academic ability, marital status etc,. In many practical situations, when it is difficult to
stratify with respect to the characteristic under study, administrative convenience may be
considered as the basis for stratification.

Merits
⚫ It provides a chance to study of all the sub-populations separately.
⚫ An optimum size of the sample can be determined with a given
cost, precision and reliability.
⚫ It is a more precise sample.
⚫ Representation of sub groups in the population.
⚫ Biases reduced and greater precise.

Limitations
⚫ There is a possibility of faulty stratification and hence the accuracy may be lost.
⚫ Proportionate stratification requires accurate information on the
proportion of population in each stratum.
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2.7 Systematic Sampling

In systematic sampling, the population units are numbered from 1 to N in ascending
order. A sampling interval, denoted by k, is determined as 𝑘 = 𝑁𝑛 , nwhere n denotes the
required sample size. Then n–1 such sampling intervals each consisting of k units will
be formed. A number is selected at random from the first sampling interval. Let it be
number ‘i’ where i ≤ k. This number is the random starting point for the whole selection
of the sample. The unit corresponding to i is the first unit in the sample. The subsequent
sampling units are the units in the following positions:
i, k +i, 2k +i, 3k + i , …, (n-1)k+i.

The layout for systematic sampling

Sampling interval 1 1 2 3 4 i…- Random …k
start

Sampling interval 2 k+1 k+2 k+3 k+4 … k+i … 2k

Sampling interval 3 2k+1 2k+2 2k+3 2k+4 … 2k+i … 3k

Sampling interval 4 3k+1 3k+2 3k+3 3k+4 … 3k+i … 4k

… … … … … … … …

Sampling interval n (n-1)k+1 (n-1)k+2 (n-1)k+3 (n-1)k+4 … (n-1)k+i … nk

Thus, with selection (random) of the first unit, the whole sample is selected automatically.
As the first unit could have been any of the k units, the technique will generate ‘k’ systematic sample
units with equal probability. If N is not an integral multiple of n, then sizes of a few possible
systematic samples may vary by one unit.
Note:
This sample is also called quasi random sample, since, the first unit only is selected at
random and all the subsequent units are not selected randomly.

Merits:
⚫ This method is simple and convenient.
⚫ Less time consuming.
⚫ It can be used in infinite population.

Limitation:
⚫ Since, it is a quasi random sampling, the sample may not be a true
representative sample of the population under study.
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Example 2

Suppose a systematic random sample of size n = 10 is needed from a population

𝑁 200
of size N = 200, the sampling interval 𝑘 = 𝑛 = 10 = 20.

The first sampling interval consists of numbers 1 to 20. If the randomly selected number
(random starter) is 7, the systematic sample will consist units corresponding to positions (serial
numbers) : 7, 27, 47, 67, 87, 107, 127, 147, 167, 187.

Applications:
⚫ Systematic sampling is preferably used when the information is to be collected from trees
in a highway, houses in blocks, etc,.
⚫ This method is often used in industry, where an item is selected for testing from a
production line (say, every fifteenth item in the order of production) to ensure that
equipments are working satisfactorily.
⚫ This technique could also be used in a sample survey for interviewing people. A market
researcher might select every 10th person who enters a particular store, after selecting a
person at random as a random start.

2.8 Non-probability (Random) Sampling:

Non-probability sampling is the sampling procedure in which samples are selected
based on the subjective judgment of the researcher, rather than random selection.
This m e t h o d isused when the representativeness of the population is not the prime issue.
Convenience or judgments of the investigators play an important role in selecting the
samples. In general, there are four types of non probability sampling called convenience
sampling, judgment sampling, quota sampling and snowball sampling.

Quota
Sampling

2.8.1 Convenience Sampling:

The samples are drawn at the convenience of the investigator. The investigator pickup
cases which are easily available units, not keeping the objectives in mind for the study.

Merits:
⚫ Useful for pilot study.
⚫ Use the results that are easily available.
⚫ Processes of picking people in the most convenient and faster way to immediately
get their reactions to a certain hot and controversial topic.
⚫ Minimum time needed and minimum cost incurs.
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Limitations:
⚫ High risk of selection bias.
⚫ May provide misleading information.
⚫ Not representative sample. Errors occur in the form of the
members of the population who are infrequent or non-users of that
location and who are not.
Note: The use of convenience sampling technique is discouraged by many
researchers dueto inability to generalize research findings, the relevance of bias
and high sampling error. Nevertheless, convenience sampling may be the only option
available in certain situations. For example, “it may be that a researcher intends to
study the ‘customer satisfaction of Jet Airways’ he uses the convenient sampling
because he has been able to negotiate access through available contacts”.

2.8.2 Snowball Sampling:

In this type, initial group of respondents are selected. Those respondents are requested to provide
the names of additional respondents who belong to the target population of interest. It is a sampling
method that involves the assistance of study subjects to
identify other potential subjects in studies where subjects
are hard to locate such as sex workers, drug abusers, etc.
This type of sampling technique works like a chain
referral. Therefore, it is also called chain referral
sampling.
Merits:
⚫ Appropriate for small specialized
population.
⚫ Useful in studies involving respondents rare to find.

⚫ It takes more time

⚫ Most likely not representative
⚫ Members of the population, who are little known, disliked or whose opinions
conflict with the respondents, have low probability of being included.

2.8.3 Judgement Sampling.

The investigator believes that in his opinion, some objects are the best representative of
the population than others. It involves “hand picking” of sampling units. That is the interviewer
uses his judgment in the selection of the sample that who should represent the population to
serve the investigator’s purpose. It is usually used when a limited number of individuals possess
the trait of interest. This type of sampling is also known as purposive sampling. This is useful
when selecting specific people, specific events, specific prices of data, etc. For example,
selecting members for a competition like quiz, oratorical contest to represent a school.
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Merits:
⚫ Low expense.
⚫ Minimum time needed.
⚫ Easy
Limitations:
⚫ Highly subjective.
⚫ Generalization is not appropriate.
⚫ Certain members of the population will have a smaller chance or no
chance of selection compared to others.
⚫ This method does not give representative part of the population, since
favoritism is involved.
2.8.4 Quota Sampling
This is another non-probability sampling method. In this method, the
population is divided into different groups and the interviewer assign quotas to
each group. The selection of individuals from each group is based on the judgment
of the interviewer. This type of sampling is called quota sampling. Specified sizes of
number of certain types of people are included in the sample.
Merits:
⚫ The selection of the sample in this method is quick, easy and cheaper.
⚫ May control sample characteristics.
⚫ More chance of representative.
Limitations:
⚫ Selection bias.
⚫ The sample is not a true representative and statistical properties cannot
beapplied.

Example
A selection committee wants to compose a cricket team (11 players) for a test match.
Pace Wicket
Groups Spinners All-rounders Batsmen
bowlers keepers
Players in Players in Players in this Players in Players in
this category this category this this
category category category

Quota 2 3 3 2 1
Select the players using judgment sampling to fulfill the requirement
of the respective quota.

In the composition of a cricket team, the selection committee forms groups

compartmentalize as pace bowlers, spinners, all-rounders, batsmen and wicket keepers.The committee
fixed quota for each group based on the pitch and the opponent teams’ strength. Then, from each
group they select the required number of players using judgement.

##### The End #####