Sample & Sampling

3.1. Sample & Sampling: What is it and why it is so necessary?

 Due to the time and costs limitations, it is not possible to test all the materials.
 Hence some of the portion of the material is taken as representative of the total
population.
 This selected small portion is called sample.
 Process by which sample is made is called sampling.
 Purpose of sampling is to produce an unbiased sample which represents the overall
properties of the population.

3.2. Types of sampling:

Random Sampling: In this type of sample every individual in the population has an equal
chance of being included in it. It is free from bias, therefore truly representative of the
population.
Biased Sampling: When the selection of an individual is influenced by factors other than
chance, a sample ceases to be truly representative of the bulk and a biased sample results

3.3. Related Terms

Consignment: this is the quantity of material delivered at the same time. Each consignment
may consist of one or several lots.
Test lot or batch: this consists of all the containers of a textile material of one defined type
and quality, delivered to one customer according to one dispatch note. The material is
presumed to be uniform so that this is the whole of the material whose properties are to be
characterized by one set of tests. It can be considered to be equivalent to the statistical
population.
Laboratory sample: this is the material that will be used as a basis for carrying out the
measurement in the laboratory. This is derived by appropriate random sampling methods
from the test lot.
Test specimen: this is the one that is actually used for the individual measurement and is
derived from the laboratory sample. Normally, measurements are made from several test
specimens.
Package: elementary units (which can be unwound) within each container in the
consignment. They might be hanks, skeins, bobbins, cones or other support on to which have
been wound to sliver, roving or yarn.
Container or case: a shipping unit identified on the dispatch note, usually a carton, box, bale
or other container, which may or may not contain packages.

3.4. Sampling of Fiber, Yarn & Fabric

Fiber sampling from bulk: Zoning technique- A method used for selecting samples from
raw cotton or wool or other loose fibers where the properties may vary from place to place.

Fiber sampling procedure:

Each handful is Each handful is treated

A handful of fibers is divided into two parts in similar manner and
taken at least from 40 and one is discarded the remaining fibers
places until the correct size is are taken as final
obtained sample

1. Collect a handful of fibers randomly from each of at least 40 widely spaced places
(zones) throughout the bulk of the consignment.
2. Each handful is divided into two parts a done half of it is discarded at random.
3. Divide the retained half into two and half of that discarded.
4. Repeat the above process until about 5 grams of fibers remain in handful.
5. Treat each handful in a similar manner and the fibers that remain are placed together to
Give a correctly sized test sample containing about 5 grams of fibers.
6. Test the whole of the final sample.

5 gram

Yarn sampling procedure:

 If no. of cases
Total 10 <5, then 10
If consignment
packages are to two packages packages are
contains more
be selected at are selected at selected at
than five cases,
random from random from random,
they are selected
the each case approximately
at random from it
consignment. equal from each
package

Fabric sampling procedure:

Warp direction Sample should

Sample is taken 2 sample should
should be not take within
from warp and not contain same
marked before it 50 mm of the
weft direction set of yarn.
is cut out selvedge.

3.5. Types of error: Errors fall into two types-

a. Bias or systematic error: With this type of error the measurements are consistently higher
or lower than they should be. For instance if a balance is not zeroed before use then all
readings taken from it will have the same small amount added to or subtracted from them.
This type of error cannot be detected by any statistical examination of the readings.
Systematic errors can only be eliminated by careful design of the tests, proper calibration and
correct operation of the instruments.
b. Precision or random error: This type of error is present when repeated measurements of
the same quantity give rise to differing values which are scattered at random around some
central value. In such cases the error can be estimated by statistical methods.