Sampling Method

Dr. Zahraa.A.Hassan

M.B.ch.B./MSc./F.I.B.M.S/Community Medicine
SAMPLING METHODS

The main task of biostatistics is to generalize the results, and it is difficult to

include the whole population, so we are going to have a sample of each
population in order to get results.

• Statistical inference: concerned with observations of a population, made

on the bases of a sample of observation.

• Population of entities: is the largest collection of entities in which we have

an interest at a particular time (e.g. population of humans); each
population member has many variables.

• Population of values: it is the largest collection of values of a random

variable from which we have an interest of a variable for a particular time,
e.g. blood urea. The unit here is the value of the variable
• Sample of entities: a finite no. of entities from a population of entities.

• Sample of observation (of values): a finite no. of values from a

population of observations.

• Sample frame: a numerical list of all the units composing the study of
population, e.g. population of 3rd grade medical school, we have 263
students. So we give every member of this sample an identification no.,
from 1 to 263.

• Sample error: it is the difference between the sample measure & its
corresponding population measure. It is not an error or a mistake but
belong to the chance of selecting the sample individuals
Types of sampling methods: they are probability methods and non-
probability methods, the problem in the second type that they cannot be
generalized.

PROBABILITY SAMPLING: (random )a sample drown from a population in

such a way that every member of the population has the same
probability (chance) of being included in the sample and this must be
done without bias, e.g. if I have 100 students 60 males & 40 females& I
want to chose 10 students, so if I ask a girl to chose for me, she will
choose females more than males, & so the chance will not be equal
because of bias. So we need to find appropriate techniques to give
equal chance for every sample. It is the best method that allows us to
infer from the sample drawn to the population.
Types of probability sampling:
1- Simple random sample: (not hap hazard) it requires the following:
a-Sample frame: we should have a list of every subject in this class.
b- Sample fraction: sample size to the total population as 10 out of 100; mean
to choose 10 from 100.

The selection of a sample from the population can be done by:

• Lottery method: to give equal chance to everyone.
• Computer generated random sampling.
• Using the random number table:
Assign a unique identification no. to each individual in the population.
Decide the direction of movement on the table (horizontally or vertically)
on the random digit table.

Starting point is located randomly by the tip of the pencil with closed eye.
2- Systematic sampling: here we choose unit or observation from the
sample frame at regular intervals, e.g. if the population is composed of
1200 units & we want to choose 100, then we use the interval
12000/100=12, then choosing the starting point randomly as mentioned
before, so if we chose 2 then we will select 14,26,38,... We use this
method in case we deal with infinite population such as patients attending
the outpatient clinic, while in finite population there is a sampling frame.
The interval is determined according to the total number of population
assumed and the number of the sample required,
• Assumed total number of population / number of sample required=nth

• Disadvantage of simple random & systematic sampling is that they do not

ensure the sample to have similar structure to the population like male to
female ratio. To have so, we rely on other type of sampling
• e.g. the following are the weights in grams of both kidneys of normal
men aged 30-40 :
3- Stratified sampling: sample frame of the original population is divided
from the beginning into strata (groups) according to certain characteristics
(age, gender...) then random or systematic sampling is performed on each
stratum. Equal (proportional) allocation of no. of units selected from each
stratum is done by using similar proportions to that of the original population
size, thus stratified sampling is only feasible when we know the no. & so the
proportion of the sub-populations. Although proportional allocation is not
100% random, but it is better to do when certain characteristics are wanted,
e.g. gender.
4- Cluster sampling: it is the most commonly used. The selection here is of
groups of units rather than individual units. A sample frame of groups of study
units (clusters) should be available, and then a random sample of these clusters
will be included. The clusters could be schools, districts, hospitals, villages,
factories or
clinics, e.g. studies made by the UNICEF take the group (schools) not the
whole no. of students, because we don't have a list of all the students to
choose from, so we make a list of primary school and we choose randomly
them we involve every student in each school (cluster) that was chosen. Be
advised that it is better to have a large no. of small clusters rather than
small no. of large cluster because the people in the same cluster usually
similar to each other

5- Multistage sampling: this procedure is carried in phases (stages), and can

involve more than one of the above sampling methods. It is used for a very
large population (huge) and when the sample is not available for the whole
population.
NONPROBABILITY SAMPLING: divided into:

1. Convenience sampling: the study units that happen to be present at the

time of data collection will be included in the sample but this is not
representative to the population we want to study. As in conducting a
study on astronauts, or nuclear reactor workers.

2. Quota sampling: the composition of the sample regarding certain

characteristics is decided from the beginning and the only requirement is
to find the right no. of people to full these quotas.