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Sampling Theory
David Dajioppi
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Sampling Theory
Researchers require a sample to use in all kinds of research —be it about the spread of a
new disease or how many baby giraffes live to see adulthood. From the sample, data is gathered,
sorted, and analyzed to arrive at assumptions taken as the actual happenings for the whole
population. Normally, the sample picked is only a handful and randomly picked to avoid bias
and inaccurate readings. Accordingly, sampling theory is responsible for the procedure above.
Statistics is a theory concerned with gathering, interpreting, and analyzing information from
random samples of populations under scrutiny. Scientists employ both probability sampling and
non-probability sampling to achieve the best results in their work (Arnab, 2017).
Accordingly, one of the techniques in sampling theory is probability sampling. In this
type of sampling, the researcher chooses their sample from a large population via the principles
of probability. For example, if the population consists of 200 people, everyone will have the odds
of 1/200 of being chosen. Essentially, everyone stands a chance of being chosen from the
sample! Importantly, this method employs random selection to achieve the random sample.
Interestingly, this kind of sampling is so judicial that the data gathered from the sample will
reflect the actual population's standing by up to 98% (Pitard, 2019). For instance, if an employer
needs to know if the new reshuffling of positions is productive, they may use this kind of a
sampling to know the extent of interest or disgust from the employees.
Contrastingly, non-probability sampling can be termed as a biased form of sampling. The
selection is exclusively at the researcher's discretion based on their knowledge of the subject and
personal judgment. This kind of sampling requires the researcher to be a professional with many
years of inexperience. Mostly, the researcher employs their observation skills to select the best
sample for the exercise. As opposed to probability sampling, this type of sampling presents an
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unequal chance for the selection process. The probability that some participants will be chosen is
skewed, and the likelihood is determined before the selection. Accordingly, in a population of
200, some of the subjects may have odds of 0/200 of being selected, while others may have odds
of up to 78/200 (Chaudhuri, 2018).
Further, generalizability requires that the sample being studied be a mirror representation
of the population being studied. The best sampling method that works in generalizability is
probability sampling, given its equal chance characteristic. In nursing and the medical field,
researchers normally use generalizability to develop medications anticipated to help
everyone (Zayed, 2018). For instance, for marijuana addicts, researchers may posit that
marijuana patches may be useful in helping recovering addicts. However, the generalization of
the medications sometimes backfires since the patients all have different conditions; for instance,
some may have underlying conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, and so forth.
In conclusion, sampling is a key procedure in research because it makes the study easier.
For example, if a researcher were to go around and question 1,000 customers if they loved the
new variant of the caramel chocolate flavor, it would take ages. Also, the cost implications may
be too high. Companies prefer to take a sample representation of the whole population and study
their preference. Importantly, apart from being cheap and time-saving, sampling is efficient
because most of the information gathered is reliable to a great extent. Due to the varying
dynamics, physicians are pushing for individualized medications to eliminate the inconsistencies
in the health sector.
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References
Arnab, R. (2017). Survey Sampling Theory and Applications. United Kingdom: Elsevier
Science.
Pitard, F. F. (2019). Theory of Sampling and Sampling Practice, Third Edition. United
Kingdom: CRC Press.
Chaudhuri, A. (2018). Survey Sampling. United States: CRC Press.
Zayed, A. (2018). Advances in Shannon's Sampling Theory. United Kingdom: CRC Press.
