Sampling

Techniques
What is Sampling?
OSampling is the selection of
subjects from a defined population.
OYou are carefully selecting a few
elements of the population to
represent the whole population.
OBy studying the characteristics of
this small group (sample) one can
make inferences and
generalizations about the whole
population.
 sampling
O Sample design covers all aspects of how
the sample in the survey is specified and
selected.
O The design of samples is a particularly
important aspect of survey methodology,
and provides a basis for the sound
measurement of economic and social
phenomena from surveys of institutions.
Sampling design covers:
O Target Population
O Sampling Frame
O Sample Size
O Sampling Method
 What is a Target
Population?
Target population is the aggregation of
elements (members of the population)
from which the sample is actually
selected.
O The target population for a survey is the
entire set of units for which the survey
data are to be used to make inferences.
O Target population defines those units for
which the findings of the survey are
meant to generalize.
O Target population refers to the entire
group of individuals or objects to which
researchers are interested in
generalizing the conclusions.
 What is a Sampling
Frame?
O Sampling frame is the list of elements from
which the sample is actually drawn – a
complete and correct list of the population
members only.
O In statistics, a sampling frame is the source
material or device from which a sample is
drawn.
O Sampling frame is a list of all those within a
population who can be sampled, and may
include individuals, households or
institutions.
O A sampling frame is a complete list of all
the members of the population that we
wish to study.
 Examples of sampling
frame
Olist of telephone numbers,
Olist of names and addresses,
Ovoters’ roll
OStudent database
OClass list
OCompany register
What is Sample Size?
OSample size is the actual
number or size of the sample
OThere are no fixed rules in
determining the size of a
sample needed.
OBut for a greater accuracy
and reliability of results, a
larger sample is desirable.
 Determining sample
size
Can use the formula:

n=N
1+ N(e)2
N=population size
n= sample size
e= sampling error or
precision level e.g. 5%
(95% confidence level)
 What is a Sampling
Method?
O The sampling method is the scientific
procedure of selecting those sampling
units which would provide the required
estimates with associated margins of
uncertainty, arising from examining only
a part and not the whole.
O There are two sampling Methods:
O Probability sampling
O Non-probability sampling
O However, for Quantitative studies
probability sampling method is
imperative
 Sampling Method:
Probability Sampling
O A sample is a proportion of the
population and such sample is
selected from the population by means
of some systematic way in which every
element of the population has a
chance of being included in the sample
O Types of Probability Sampling:
O Simple random probability sampling
O Systematic probability sampling
O Stratified probability sampling
O Cluster probability sampling
 Simple Random
Probability Sampling
O Every one in the population of the inquiry
has an equal chance of being selected to
be included in the sample
O Also called the lottery or raffle type of
sampling
O The main advantage of this technique of
sampling is that, it is easy to understand
and it is easy to apply.
O The disadvantage is that, it is hard to use
with too large a population because of
the difficulty encountered in writing the
names of the persons involved.
 Systematic Probability
Sampling
O Systematic probability sampling is a
technique of sampling in which every
Nth name in a list may be selected to
be included in a sample
O It is also called interval sampling, there
is a gap or interval, between each
selected unit in the sample
O used when respondents are arranged in
some systematic or logical manner e.g.
alphabetically
O Advantage: convenient, faster and
economic
Systematic sampling
cont
O Sampling interval n = population size

sample size
O Randomly select a starting
member/number and take every nth
number from there on
O E.g. n = 32000/320 =100 and start at
random number 6 so start with
person/unit 6 the next is
O 100+6 =106; then 106 +100 =206
etc.
O Sample will comprise numbers 6,
106, 206; 306
 STRATIFIED RANDOM
SAMPLING
O Used with heterogeneous populations
(low income and high income, male
and female, first class students, high
class performers)
O Population is divided into
strata/groups in such a way that
O There is greater homogeneity
within groups
O There is marked difference
between strata
O Simple random sampling is then used
to draw a sample from each stratum
Stratified random sampling
O MERITS
O Ensures representation of all groups
O A random sample can be kept small in
size without losing its accuracy
O Characteristics of each stratum can be
estimated therefore comparisons can be
made
DEMERITS
It is costly to prepare stratified lists of all
members
 Proportionate stratified
random sampling
O A stratified sample of size n = 60 is to
be taken from a population of size
N=4000 which comprise 3 strata X =
2000, and Y = 1200 and Z = 800. If
allocation is to be proportional how
large a sample should be taken from
each stratum?
O Sample x = n(X/N) = 2000/4000x 60
= 30
O Sample y = n(Y/N) = 1200/4000 x 60
= 18
O Sample z = n(Z/N) = 800/4000 x 60 =
12
 Cluster sampling
O Also called area sampling
O The population is divided into
mutually exclusive groups
O E.g. blocks, and the researcher
draws a sample of the group to
interview.
O Population is identified with some
geographic area
O Each geographic area is a cluster
 Example of cluster
sampling
O You study BSPZ clusters in a district
O Select at random a few clusters
O make a random selection of schools in
selected clusters
ADVANTAGES
O Less costly and not time consuming-
fieldwork is localized
O Only requires lists of members of
selected clusters
DISADVANTAGES
Sometimes yield inaccurate estimates
about the population
NON PROBABILITY SAMPLING
METHODS
CONVENIENCE SAMPLING
O Selection of people who appear
to be convenient – easy to
obtain according to the
researcher
O Sample selection process
continue until the required
sample size is attained
O Has lots of biases and
generalizations are flawed
 PURPOSIVE
O Could beSAMPLING
Judgmental sampling or Quota
sampling
1. Judgmental sampling
The researcher uses his/her judgment to
select population members who are good
prospects for accurate information
2. Quota sampling
O The researcher finds and interviews a
prescribed number of people in each of
several categories.
O e.g. age, place of residence, gender,
class, profession, marital status, use of a
particular contraceptive method.
 Snowball
OAn identified group/individual is used
to locate others who possess similar
characteristics, those respondents
will in turn identify others
OUsually used in studies where it is
difficult to identify and contact
respondents
OE.g. drug dealers, teenage gang
activities, widows, adolescent
 Bias in sampling

O Bias in sampling is a systematic error in

sampling procedures that lead to a distortion
in the result of the study.
O E.g. in a survey of high school students meant
to measure teenage use of drugs will be a
biased sample if it does not include home-
schooled students and drop outs.
O A sample is also biased if certain members are
underrepresented or overrepresented relative
to others in the population.
 -AL FIN-

‘MUITO OBRIGADO’