CHAPTER 4 SAMPLING DESIGN

1. What do you mean by ‘Sample Design’? What points should be taken into consideration by a
researcher in developing a sample design for this research project.
Sample design is a plan that a researcher will use to acquire a sample from a given
population. The researcher must determine what kind of technique or procedure he will adopt
in choosing items for the sample before the data gathering. He must decide and prepare a
sample design that is reliable and appropriate for his chosen field of research study.
The researcher should be taken these points into consideration when developing a
sample design for his chosen research project.
i. Type of universe:
First, the research must clearly decide what set of objects to be studied.
The universe can be finite or infinite. In finite universe, the number of
items is certain and known while on infinite universe, the researcher has
no idea about the total number of his sample.
ii. Sampling unit:
The researcher will have to decide one or more of sampling units that
he has to select for his study.
iii. Source list:
Sample is to be drawn from source list which is also known as sampling
frame. It is consisting of the names of all items of a finite universe. The
researcher has to prepare it if it is not available and it should be
comprehensive, appropriate, correct and reliable. It is also a
representative of the population as possible.
iv. Size of sample:
The size of sample is associate to the number of items to be selected
from the universe to create a sample. It should be optimum which can
fulfill the requirements of efficiency, representativeness, reliability and
flexibility of the sample.
v. Parameters of interest:
In establishing the sample design, the researcher must consider the
question of the specific population parameters which are of interest.
vi. Budgetary constraint
This has a major effect on the study and the researcher must consider
his budget when developing a sample design.
vii. Sampling procedure
Lastly, the researcher must decide the type of sample he will use on his
research project.

2. How would you differentiate between simple random sampling and complex random
sampling designs? Explain clearly giving examples.
Simple random sampling is probability sampling or chance sampling that ensures the law
of Statistical Regularity which states that if on an average the sample chosen is a random one,
the sample will have the same composition and characteristics as the universe. Example of this is
a lottery method in which individual units are picked up from the whole group not deliberately
but by some mechanical process. Here, it is blind chance alone that determines whether one
item or the other is selected.

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 Complex random sampling is probability sampling under restricted sampling techniques.
Many of the designs under complex random sampling may represent a combination of
probability and non-probability sampling procedures in selecting a sample. One of the popular
complex random sampling designs is systematic sampling where an element of randomness is
introduced into this kind of sampling by using random numbers to pick up the unit with which to
start. For example, is a 4 per cent sample is desired, the first item would be selected randomly
form the first twenty-five and thereafter every 25 th item would automatically be included in the
sample.

3. Why probability sampling is generally preferred in comparison to non-probability sampling?

Explain the procedure of selecting a simple random sample.
Probability sampling is considered as the best technique of selecting a representative
sample because all elements were given an equal probability of being picked or select in the
entire population.
Using random number tables prepared by Tippett can be used for selecting a random
sample. Tippett gave 10400 four figure numbers. The following are the steps:
1. Produce the first thirty sets of Tippet’s numbers
2. Set a number of units in a sample from a population. Also, set the limit of the
numbers where researchers would like to choose upon.
3. Randomly decide to read the table numbers.
4. The units chosen constitute required random sample.

4. Under what circumstances stratified random sampling design is considered appropriate? How
would you select such sample? Explain by means of an example.
Stratified sampling is applied to obtain a representative sample when the population is
not a homogenous group. In this sampling design, the population is divided into sub-populations
that are individually more homogenous and the researcher will select items from each stratum
to constitute a sample. The usual method for selection of items for this kind of sampling design
from each stratum resorted to simple random sampling.

5. Distinguish between:
a. Restricted and unrestricted sampling
Unrestricted sampling is when each sample element is drawn individually from
the population at large. One of these unrestricted samplings is simple random sampling
where every item of the universe has an equal chance of inclusion in the sample.
All other forms of sampling are covered under restricted sampling. Complex
random sampling and purposive sampling are fall under restricted sampling.

b. Convenience and purposive sampling

Convenience sampling, also a haphazardly sampling is sampling that is without
aim or purpose while on purposive sampling under non-probability sample, the
researcher purposively selects the particular units of the universe to constitute a sample
that will be a typical or representative of the whole.

c. Systematic and stratified sampling

On systematic sampling, the researcher is selecting ith item on a list. The first
unit is chosen randomly and the remaining units of the sample are selected at fixed
intervals. While on the other hand, stratified sampling is applied to obtain a
representative sample
 when the population is not a homogenous group. In this sampling, the population is
divided into sub-populations that are individually more homogenous and the researcher
will select items from each stratum to constitute a sample.

d. Cluster and area sampling

In cluster sampling, the total population is divided into clusters and from these
clusters, the samples are randomly selected. On the other hand, area sampling is a
cluster where the primary sampling unit represents a cluster of units based of
geographic area.

6. Under what circumstances would you recommend:

a. A probability sample?
Probability sample is recommended when the researcher wants each element
an equal probability of being chosen into the sample. All choices are
independent of one another.

b. A non-probability sample?
Non-probability sample is suggested when the sample does not afford any basis
for probability of each item to be chosen and included in the sample.

c. A stratified sample?
Stratified sample is advised when the population does not constitute a
homogeneous group.

d. A cluster sample?
Cluster sample is considered when the total population is big. This kind of
sample is convenient way for this kind of population.

7. Explain and illustrate the procedure of selecting a random sample.

For finite universe, you can select a sample similar on the procedure on lottery draws.
Write each of the possible sample on a slip of paper, mix these slips thoroughly in a container
and then without looking, draw the required number of slips for the sample continuously
without replacement. In doing this, successive draws give remaining elements the same chance
of being selected. These steps will result in the same probability for each possible sample.

8. “A systematic bias results from errors in the sampling procedures”. What do you mean by such
a systematic bias? Describe the important causes responsible for such a bias.
Systematic bias is a bias resulting from the system, leading on average to systematic
errors, in contrast to random errors which on average cancel each other out.
Inappropriate sampling frame can cause systematic bias. Also, if the measuring device is
defective and continually in error, it will result in this kind of bias. Likewise, if the researchers
unable to sample all the individuals initially included in the sample, it may arise a systematic
bias. Sometimes, the researchers find individuals act differently when kept under observation
than non-observed situation. This is called indeterminacy principle and it may also be a cause of
this bias. Often the cause of a systematic bias is natural bias of respondents in the reporting of
data. People tend to give what they think the correct answer rather than express their feelings.

9. (a) The following are the number of departmental stores in 10 cities: 35, 27, 24, 32, 42, 30, 34,
40, 29 and 38. If we want to select a sample of 15 stores using cities as clusters and selecting
 within clusters proportional to size, how many stores from each city should be chosen? (Use a
starting point of 4).
Answer:

No. of Departmental
City Number Cumulative Total Sample
Stores

1 35 35
2 27 62
3 24 86
4 32 118 82.75
5 42 160
6 30 190 165.50
7 34 224
8 40 264 248.25
9 29 293
10 38 331

Total = 331
Therefore, one store should be selected
Starting point = 4 randomly from city number 4, 6, 8.
Interval = 82.75

10. A certain population is divided into five strata so that N1 = 2000, N2 = 2000, N3 = 1800, N4 =
1700, and N5 = 2500. Respective standard deviations are: σ1 = 1.6, σ2 = 2.0, σ3 = 4.4, σ4 = 4.8,
σ5 = 6.0 and further the expected sampling cost in the first two strata is Rs 4 per interview and
in the remaining three strata the sampling cost is Rs 6 per interview. How should a sample of
size n = 226 be allocated to five strata if we adopt proportionate sampling design; if we adopt
disproportionate sampling design considering (i) only the differences in stratum variability (ii)
differences in stratum variability as well as the differences in stratum sampling costs.

a. Using Proportional allocation, n = 226

P
STRATA N n
(N / Ntotal)
1 2000 0.2 45.2
2 2000 0.2 45.2
3 1800 0.18 40.68
4 1700 0.17 38.42
5 2500 0.25 56.5
Ntotal = 10000

Therefore, the sample sizes for different strata are 45.2, 45.2, 40.68, 38.42, 56.5
respectively which proportion to the sizes of the strata given.
b. Using disproportionate sampling design considering only the differences in stratum
variability, n = 226

STRATA N σ n

1 2000 1.6 18.89

2 2000 2 23.62
3 1800 4.4 46.76
4 1700 4.8 48.18
5 2500 6 88.56

c. Using disproportionate sampling design considering differences in stratum variability as

well as the differences in stratum sampling costs, n = 226

STRATA N σ COST (Rs) n

1 2000 1.6 4 22.20

2 2000 2 4 27.75
3 1800 4.4 6 44.86
4 1700 4.8 6 46.22
5 2500 6 6 84.97