Sampling

Meaning of Sampling
As the name suggests, ‘sampling’ is the procedure ‘to sample’
something.
A sample is a part of a thing and it has the ability to display the
qualities and features of the thing, of which it is a part.
Sample is a part of a thing that acts as a specimen or an example for
that thing.
For example, before launching a new soft-drink in market the company
wants to test consumer feedback for the product. The company may set
up temporary vendors at an amusement park and let the consumers try
the samples of soft drink to collect their feedback. Each of those soft
drinks will be called as a ‘sample’.
Sampling is the most important step in the direction of carrying out
research, once the hypothesis and objectives of research are
understood.
 Reasons for Sampling
• Why Sample?
– Improve data quality
• Obtain in-depth information about each subject
rather than superficial data on all

• Sampling can save money.

• Sampling can save time.
• For given resources, sampling can broaden
the scope of the data set.
• Because the research process is sometimes
destructive, the sample can save product.
• If accessing the population is impossible;
sampling is the only option.
 Satistics Domain

Use random sampling to draw inferences

about a population.
1. Understand that statistics can be used to gain
information about a population by examining a
sample of the population; generalizations
about a population from a sample are valid
only if the sample is representative of that
population. Understand that random sampling
tends to produce representative samples and
support valid inferences.
 Statistics Domain

2. Use data from a random sample to draw

inferences about a population with an
unknown characteristic of interest. Generate
multiple samples (or simulated samples) of
the same size to gauge the variation in
estimates or predictions. For example,
estimate the mean word length in a book by
randomly sampling words from the book;
predict the winner of a school election based
on randomly sampled survey data. Gauge
how far off the estimate or prediction might
be.
 Types of Sampling

 Simple Random Sample

 Stratified Random Sample

 Cluster sampling

 Systematic

 Convenience
 Simple Random Sample

 Every subset of a specified size n from the

population has an equal chance of being selected
 Stratified Random Sample

 The population is divided into two or more groups

called strata, according to some criterion, such as
geographic location, grade level, age, or income,
and subsamples are randomly selected from each
strata.
 Cluster Sample

 The population is divided into subgroups (clusters)

like families. A simple random sample is taken of
the subgroups and then all members of the cluster
selected are surveyed.
 Systematic Sample

 Every kth member ( for example: every 10th

person) is selected from a list of all population
members.
 Convenience Sample

 Selection of whichever individuals are easiest to

reach
 It is done at the “convenience” of the researcher
 Errors in Sampling

 Non-Observation Errors
 Sampling error: naturally occurs
 Coverage error: people sampled do not match the
population of interest
 Underrepresentation
 Non-response: won’t or can’t participate
 Errors of Observation

 Interview error- interaction between interviewer

and person being surveyed
 Respondent error: respondents have difficult time
answering the question
 Measurement error: inaccurate responses when
person doesn’t understand question or poorly
worded question
 Errors in data collection
 Visual Bias

 Pull the slide until the line on the slide looks as if it

is the same length as the line on the face of the
card.

 Turn the card over and read the length

 Record this length and report it when asked.

Math
Alliance
Project
 Bias Experiment

 Report your length.

 Construct a box plot of the class data.
 Compare the box plot to the actual length.
 Do the reported lengths tend to be the same? Do
they appear to be systematically too long or too
short?

Math
Alliance
Project
 Why Sample?

 When is sampling unnecessary?

• The number of things we want to sample is small
• Data is easily accessible
• Data quality is unaffected by the number of things we look at
• Example
• You are interested in the relationship between team batting average and
winning percentage of major league baseball teams
• There are only 30 major league teams
• Data on team batting averages and winning percentages are readily
available