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R.B. Jain"
Sampling Error
I. See D.l. Caseley and D.A. Lury, Data Collection in Developing Countries 48,
(Clarendon Press; Oxford, 1981).
2. See Carter V. Good and Douglas E. Scates, Methods ofResearch .. Educational,
Psychological, Sociological 599 (Appleton, Century Crofts, Inc., New York, J 954).
320 LEGAL RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY
The size of these errors depends on three factors: First, the size of
the sample. Results from large samples are generally more reliable than
results from small samples. Second, the variability of the population or
group from which it is taken. Thus, if the members of the population are
all alike, any and every sample will give the same result; but the more the
members of the population differ amongst themselves, the greater the
error that can be introduced into the sample by the inclusion of some
individuals and the exclusion of others. Third, the way the sample is
chosen. Obviously a researcher requires a sample which is free from
bias and representative of the population of which it is a part. This can
only be achieved in practice by using some form of random or scientific
sampling.'
The survey objectives should determine the sample design, but the
determination is actually a two-way process because the problems of
sample design often influence and change the survey objectives. Most
samples are prepared by statisticians and other researchers who are not
primarily specialists in sampling. Nevertheless, it is helpful, although
sometimes difficult, to separate sampling design from the related activities
involved in survey research. The sample design covers the tasks of
selection and estimation for making inference from sample value to the
population value. Beyond this are the problems of making inferences
from the survey population to another and generally broader population,
with measurements free from error."
Thus the major problems in planning a sampling survey include: (a)
statement of the purposes of the survey; (b) definition of the population
or universe; (c) selection of the sampling unit and theunit of tabulation;
(d) location and selection of the source list; (e) deciding on the type of
sampling to be used; (j) determining the size of the sample ratio; (g)
testing of the sample in a pilot or exploratory survey and (h) interpretation
of the data in the light of the reliability of the sample.I
Choice of Samples
There are many ways of choosing samples for the collection of
social and economic data. The best method for any particular inquiry will
depend on both the nature of the population to be sampled, the time and
money available for investigation, and the degree of accuracy required.
It should, however, be emphasised that a sample ought to be representative
of the population under study. Essentially, inference from sample to
populations is a matter of confidence that can be placed in the representa-
tiveness of the sample. A sample is representative to the degree to which
it reflects the characteristics of a population.
It must also be stressed that the representativeness of a sample is
difficult, if not impossible, to check. It is dependent upon the degree of
precision with which the population is specified, the adequacy of the
sample and the heterogeneity of the population. Confidence in the
representativeness of a sample is increased if the population is well
defined. In another way adequacy of the sample is also an important
consideration in case a very small sample is taken. To be adequate a
sample must be of sufficient size to allow the researcher to have
confidence in the inference. Finally, it must also be stated that
representativeness depends on the degree of homogeneity of the population.
The more alike the units of the population, the smaller the sample can be
4. See Leslie Kish, Survey Sampling 4-8 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York,
(1965».
5. Supra note 2 at 599.
322 LEGAL RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY
6. ld. at 60 I.
SAMPLING METHOD IN LEGAL RESEARCH 323
ID./bid.
II. Black and Champion. supra note 3 at 296-97.
SAMPLING METHOD IN LEGAL RESEARCH 327
Type of Samples