Dr.

Ajit Patil
SAMPLING

Sampling

The process of selecting a number of individuals, that individuals represent the

larger group or population from which they were selected.

 Sample- smaller collection of units from a population.

 Sampling frame- A list of all elements from which units are drawn. It
must be representative of the population.

 Population- A larger group from which individuals are selected to

participate in a study.

Population Parameters and Sample Statistics

Parameter

 A parameter is a value that describe a characteristic of an entire population,

such as the Population mean.

For example, the average height of adult women in the United States is a
parameter

The population mean and standard deviation are two common parameters.

In statistics, Greek symbols usually represent population parameters, such as:

 u (mu) for the mean

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 σ (Sigma) for the standard deviation.

Statistics:

 A statistic is a characteristic of a sample if you collect a sample and

calculate the Mean and standard deviation, these are sample statistics.

Indications
 The sample mean, X̄, is the most common estimator of the
population mean, u.
 The sample variance, s2, is the most common estimator of the

Population variance, σ2 .
 The sample standard deviation, s, is the most common

estimator of the population standard deviation, σ.

 The sample proportion, p, is the most common estimator of
the population proportion, P.

Techniques of Sampling:

Probability (Random) Sampling Non-Probability Sampling

Simple random sampling Convenience sampling
Systematic random Sampling Purposive sampling
Stratified random Sampling Quota Sampling
Cluster sampling Snowball Sampling
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Multistage Sampling

Probability Sampling:
 Also known as Random sampling or Chance Sampling.
 Every item of universe has equal chance of getting selected.
 Results can be assured in terms of probability.
 Considered as best technique of selecting a representative sample.

1. Simple random Sample:

 It is applicable when population is small, homogeneous & readily available.
 All subsets of the frame are given an equal probability.
 Each element of the frame thus has an equal probability of selection.
 It provides for greatest number of possible samples.
 This is done by assigning a number to each unit in the sampling frame.
 A table of random number or lottery system is used to determine which units
are to be selected.
Example: Out of 100 Doctors, randomly choosing the 20 doctors for
conducting a camp of blood donation.

2. Systematic random sample:

 It is applicable when the given population s logically homogenous
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 Systematic sampling relies on arranging the target population according to

some ordering scheme 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).
 It is important that the starting point is not automatically the first in the list,
but is instead randomly chosen from within the first to the kth element in the
list.
Example- out of 60 patients, researcher has to make trial on 20 Patient who
needs a surgery, randomly choosing the 4rth person at first and then finding
out the kth term by dividing 60 by 20, i.e. 60/20 = 3, now choosing every 3rd
person for surgery.
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20

In this, randomly 4rth patient has been chosen first and then it has been
calculated that every 3rd patient will be chosen thereafter.

3. Stratified random sample

 It is applicable when we the population does not form a homogeneous group.
 The population is divided into two or more group called strata, according to
some criterion, such as geographic location, grade level, age, or income,
and subsamples are randomly selected from each strata.
 Population in each strata is more homogeneous.
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 Every unit in a stratum has same chance of being selected.

 Adequate representation of minority subgroup of interest can have ensured
by stratification & varying sampling fraction between strata required.
Example: A population of patients who has Dengue has been decided from
which sample has to be chosen. The Population was heterogeneous in nature
as different patients have different symptoms. Some has high Fever, some
has body pain while others have vomiting. Therefore, small groups of
homogeneous nature based on these symptoms has been created, known as
Strata or Stratum. And, randomly patients have been chosen from these
groups to make a sample.

Strata –A Strata –B Strata –C

High- Fever Body-Pain Vomiting
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 11 12 13 14 11 12 13 14
15 16 15

Randomly patients have been chosen from all the groups to form a sample.

4. Cluster Sampling:
 Also known as area sampling.
 Dividing the area into small non- overlapping areas usually known as
clusters.
 Selecting the no. of clusters as samples.
 Economically advantageous.
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Example- An organization wants to conduct clinical trials on districts. Out of

available districts (Clusters), it chooses a whole cluster on random basis as a
sample.

Meerut Mathura Greater Bijnor

Noida

Ghaziabad Unnao Rampur Varanasi

Random Selection of whole cluster namely Mathura, Rampur and Ghaziabad as

samples.

5. Multi-stage Sampling
 Further development of Cluster sampling.
 It is combination of one or more methods described above.
 Population is divided into multiple clusters and then these clusters are
further divided and grouped into various sub groups (strata) based on
similarity.
 One or more clusters can be randomly selected from each stratum. This
process continues until the cluster can’t be divided anymore
 The process of randomly selecting intact group, not individuals, within the
defined population can be found.

One-stage sampling: All of the elements within selected clusters are included in
the sample.
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Two-stage sampling: A subset of elements within selected clusters is randomly

selected for inclusion in the sample.

Example: To obtain a random sample of physicians in the United States, you

choose 10 states at random (stage 1, cluster). From each state you choose at
random 8 hospitals (stage 2, cluster). Finally, from each hospital, you choose 5
physicians from each sub-specialty (stage 3).

Non-probability sampling

 Also known as Deliberate Sampling.

 It does not require a complete survey frame.
 It is a fast, easy and inexpensive way of obtaining data.
 A process of choosing items or units from a population using a subjective
(i.e. non-random) method.
 All items do not have equal chance of getting selected.

1- Convenience Sampling

 The process of including whoever happens to be available at the time that is,
readily available and convenient.
 Sometimes also known as grab or opportunity sampling or accidental or
haphazard sampling.
 The researcher using such a sample cannot scientifically make
generalizations about the total population from this sample because it would
not be representative enough.
For example, if the interviewer was to conduct a survey at a shopping
center early in the morning on a given day, the people that he/she could
interview would be limited to those given there at that given time, which
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would not represent the views of other members of society in such an area, if
the survey was to be conducted at different times of day and several times
per week.

2. Purposive sample:

 The researchers choose the sample based on who they think would be
appropriate for the study.
 This is used primarily when there is a limited number of people that have
expertise in the area being researched.
 It is the process whereby the researchers select a sample based on
experience or knowledge of the group to be sampled.
 It is also called “judgement” sampling.
Example: A researcher wants to collect feedback from students on the
pedagogical methods in their school. The researcher will select the brightest
students who can provide relevant information for systematic investigation.

3. Quota Sampling

 Quota sampling is the non-probability equivalent of stratified sampling that

we discussed earlier.
 It starts with characterizing the population based on certain desired features
and assigns a quota to each subset of the population.
 The population is first segmented into mutually exclusive sub-group, just as
in stratified sampling.
 Then judgment used to select subjects or units from each segment based on a
specified proportion.
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 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 to technique one non-probability
sampling.
 In quota sampling the selection of the sample is non-random.

Example: An Education Institution wants to find out what age group prefers
what career goals in a particular city. They apply survey quota on the age
groups of 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, and 35+. From this information, the researcher
gauges the preference of candidates among the population of the city.

4. Snowball Sampling

 Just as the snowball rolls and gathers mass, the sample constructed in this
may will grow in size as you move through the process of conducting a
survey.
 In this technique, you rely on your initial respondents to refer you to the next
respondents whom you may connect with for the purpose of your survey.
 Snowball sampling can be useful when you need the sample to reflect
certain features that the difficult to find.
 To conduct a survey of people who go jogging in a certain park every
morning, for example, snowball sampling would be a quick, accurate way to
create the sample.
 Also known as Chain Sampling or Network Sampling.
Example: An Organization is studying the impact of spirituality on
Ayurveda among Ayurvedic Doctors. First, they will contact to the doctors
they know personally. After that, they will ask them to give some referrals
so that they can contact to the other doctors as well. After contacting the
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second round of doctors, they will further ask them to give some referrals so
that they can contact more. This creation of chain is known as snowball
sampling.

 Difference between Probability and Non-Probability Sampling

BASIS FOR NON-PROBABILITY

PROBABILITY SAMPLING
COMPARISON SAMPLING
Meaning Probability sampling is a Nonprobability sampling is a
sampling technique, in which method of sampling wherein, it
the subjects of the population is not known that which
get an equal opportunity to be individual from the population
selected as a representative will be selected as a sample.
sample.
Alternately Random sampling Non-random sampling
known as
Basis of Randomly Arbitrarily
selection
Opportunity of Fixed and known Not specified and unknown
selection
Research Conclusive Exploratory
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Difference between Sampling Error and Non-Sampling Error

BASIS FOR
SAMPLING ERROR NON-SAMPLING ERROR
COMPARISON
Meaning Sampling error is a type of An error occurs due to sources
error, occurs when the sample other than sampling, while
selected does not perfectly conducting survey activities is
represents the population of known as non-sampling error. Can
interest. also be called as human error.
Cause Deviation between sample Deficiency and analysis of data
mean and population mean
Type Random Random or Non-random
Occurs Only when sample is Both in sample and census.
selected.
Sample size Possibility of error reduced It has nothing to do with the
with the increase in sample sample size.
size.