Differentiation :

Definition A stratified sample Cluster sampling wants us to Quota sampling is non-

tries to divide our create groups so that the units random sampling of a
population into within each group have a big population in which the
groups such that units spread, and the groups population is divided into
in each stratum themselves are like each other groups and a pre-
are similar with determined portion of the
respect to our sample is taken from each
variable of interest of the groups. Thus, each
member of the population
does not have an equal
probability of being
included in the sample.

Example For example, if we For example, if we take a
were trying to cluster sample of apartment
estimate something to buildings to get a sample of
do with wages, then residents, then we're hoping
we might want to that each building has a similar
stratify businesses by spread of, for example,
what industry they families in bigger apartments,
operate in single people in studios,
and, by some wealthier people in penthouses,
measure of the size of etc. That way, by sampling just
the business. a couple of apartments we get
the whole spread of the area's
population.
For quota sampling, let’s
say that the researcher
wants a sample of 35%
registered voters
Democrats, 35%
registered Republicans,
and 30% Other,
irrespective of the
composition of the
population. The sample
will consist of 350
registered Rep., 350
registered Dem., and 300
registered Other. Each
group may be further
divided into subgroups,
like male-female, etc.

Category It falls under It falls under probability Quota sampling is a non-

probability sample. sample. probability sampling
method.

Frame A sampling Frame is Researchers can implement it A sampling frame is not

required without having a sampling required
frame for all the elements for
the entire population.

Random Random Sampling The samples drawn using the Random sampling error
Sampling error can be cluster method are prone to cannot be estimated.
estimated higher sampling error
Cost It is used for It doesn’t reduce the cost as it It’s hard to find data
reducing the cost. focuses on precision. regarding the snowball
sampling, thus this
method doesn’t require
much cost.
Number of More number of Relatively less number of Less number of errors .
errors errors. errors.

Heterogeneit Between groups. Within Groups. Within a number of

y similar samples.

Sample Randomly selected All the individuals are taken Samples are selected on
individuals are taken from randomly selected the basis of referral.
from all the strata. clusters.