Quantitative Reasoning

Sampling
KEY CONCEPTS
H. Ghaedamini (PhD)
(Ali)

stahgh@nus.edu.sg
Instructor
Department of Statistics and Applied Probability
1

1-A sample is a part of a population.

A Parameter is a numerical fact
about a Population. It is very hard
or sometimes impossible to
determine the parameter exactly
but it can be estimated using a
Sample.
Main Question:
How close is the estimation?

2-How accurate is the estimation?

Some methods produce accurate estimates but may have non-response bias.
Simple random sampling
Systematic sampling
Stratified sampling
Cluster sampling
Multi-stage sampling

Some methods, usually non probability sampling, may introduce selection bias and non-response
bias.
quota sampling
Convenience sampling
Volunteer samples
Judgment sampling

Large sample does not mean No bias

Exam
Point!

Class Quiz
Simple Random Sampling

Stratified Sampling

Cluster Sampling

Multi-stage Sampling

3-When dealing with a sample survey ask

yourself the following:
What is the parameter?

What is the sample unit?

What is the targeted population?

Sampling Frame

How was the sample chosen?

Sampling Frame?

Population

What was the response rate?

Rule of thumb: above 70% response rate is favorable

4-Quota Sampling

Exam
Point!

In quota sampling, the sample is hand picked by the interviewer to resemble the
population in some key ways. This method seems logical but often gives bad results.
Why?

Let me
think
deeper

Example: In Singapore we have 70% Chinese, 20% Malay and 10 % Indian. Quota
sampling: 70 Chinese, 20 Malay and 10 Indian.

Unintentional bias when the interviewer chose subjects to interview.

5-Size of the sample?

= + +

Method of
sampling

Size of the sample

The larger the sample,
the smaller this error.
For more info, chapter
20 of FPP. (not a part
of this module)

Disclaimer
This document serves as supplementary reading material, and is not to be seen as any
modules syllabus

This document is subjected to errors and changes at any time, and author is not liable for any
effects of the change