Assignment

Date: 08/04/2020
Subject: Research Methods
Topic: Systematic Sampling
Submitted by: IMRAN ASLAM
Submitted To: Prof Muhammad Sajjad
MSc Applied Psychology Morning
1st Semester
Department of Applied Psychology

Islamia University of
Bahawalpur
What Is Systematic Sampling?
Systematic sampling is a type of probability
sampling method in which sample members from a
larger population are selected according to a random
starting point but with a fixed, periodic interval. This
interval, called the sampling interval, is calculated by
dividing the population size by the desired sample size.
Despite the sample population being selected in
advance, systematic sampling is still thought of as being
random if the periodic interval is determined beforehand
and the starting point is random.

How Systematic Sampling

Works
Since simple random sampling of a population can be
inefficient and time-consuming, statisticians turn to other
methods, such as systematic sampling. Choosing a
sample size through a systematic approach can be done
quickly. Once a fixed starting point has been identified, a
constant interval is selected to facilitate participant
selection.
Systematic sampling is preferable to simple random
sampling when there is a low risk of data manipulation. If
such a risk is high when a researcher can manipulate the
interval length to obtain desired results, a simple random
sampling technique would be more appropriate.
Systematic sampling is popular with researchers and
analysts because of its simplicity. Researchers generally
assume the results are representative of most
normal populations unless a random characteristic
disproportionately exists with every "nth" data sample
(which is unlikely). In other words, a population needs to
exhibit a natural degree of randomness along the chosen
metric. If the population has a type of standardized
pattern, the risk of accidentally choosing very common
cases is more apparent.
Within systematic sampling, as with other sampling
methods, a target population must be selected prior to
selecting participants. A population can be identified
based on any number of desired characteristics that suit
the purpose of the study being conducted. Some
selection criteria may include age, gender, race, location,
education level and/or profession.

Important Points
 Systematic sampling is a type of probability sampling
method in which sample members from a larger
population are selected according to a random
starting point but with a fixed, periodic interval (the
sampling interval).
 Because of its simplicity, systematic sampling is
popular with researchers.
 Other advantages of this methodology include
eliminating the phenomenon of clustered selection
and a low probability of contaminating data.
 Disadvantages include over- or under-representation
of particular patterns and a greater risk of data
manipulation.
Examples of Systematic Sampling

As a hypothetical example of systematic

sampling, assume that in a population of 10,000 people,
a statistician selects every 100th person for sampling.
The sampling intervals can also be systematic, such as
choosing a new sample to draw from every 12 hours.
As another example, if you wanted to select a random
group of 1,000 people from a population of 50,000 using
systematic sampling, all the potential participants must
be placed in a list and a starting point would be selected.
Once the list is formed, every 50th person on the list
(starting the count at the selected starting point) would
be chosen as a participant, since 50,000/1,000 = 50.
For example, if the selected starting point was 20, the
70th person on the list would be chosen followed by the
120th, and so on. Once the end of the list was reached
and if additional participants are required, the count
loops to the beginning of the list to finish the count.
Systematic Sampling Versus
Cluster Sampling

Systematic sampling and cluster sampling

differ in how they pull sample points from the population
included in the sample. Cluster sampling breaks the
population down into clusters, while systematic sampling
uses fixed intervals from the larger population to create
the sample.
Systematic sampling selects a random starting point from
the population, and then a sample is taken from regular
fixed intervals of the population depending on its size.
Cluster sampling divides the population into clusters and
then takes a simple random sample from each cluster.
Cluster sampling is considered less precise than other
methods of sampling. However, it may save costs on
obtaining a sample. Cluster sampling is a two-step
sampling procedure. It may be used when completing a
list of the population is difficult. For example, it could be
difficult to construct the entire population of the
customers of a grocery store to interview.
However, a person could create a random subset of
stores, which is the first step in the process. The second
step is to interview a random sample of the customers of
those stores. This is a simple manual process that can
save time and money.

Limitations of Systematic Sampling

One risk that statisticians must consider when

conducting systematic sampling involves how the list
used with the sampling interval is organized. If the
population placed on the list is organized in a cyclical
pattern that matches the sampling interval, the selected
sample may be biased.
For example, a company's human resources department
wants to pick a sample of employees and ask how they
feel about company policies. Employees are grouped in
teams of 20, with each team headed by a manager. If the
list used to pick the sample size is organized with teams
clustered together, the statistician risks picking only
managers (or no managers at all) depending on the
sampling interval.