SAMPLING CONCEPTS, SAMPLING DISTRIBUTIONS & ESTIMATION

SAMPLING CONCEPTS, SAMPLING DISTRIBUTIONS & ESTIMATION

 Population & Sample

 Parameter & Statistic
 Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
 Sampling Methods
• Simple Random Sampling
• Stratified Sampling
• Systematic Sampling
• Judgement Sampling
• Convenience Sampling
 Population & Sample
A Population is the entire group that you want to draw conclusions about.

In research, a population doesn’t always refer to people. It can mean a group containing elements of

anything you want to study, such as objects, events, organizations, countries, species, organisms, etc.

A Sample is the specific group that you will collect data from. The size of the sample is always less than the

total size of the population.

Ideally, a sample should be randomly selected and representative of the population. Using probability

sampling methods (such as simple random sampling or stratified sampling) reduces the risk of sampling bias

and enhances both internal and external validity.

 Reasons for sampling
• Necessity: Sometimes it’s simply not possible to study the whole population

due to its size or inaccessibility.

• Practicality: It’s easier and more efficient to collect data from a sample.

• Cost-effectiveness: There are fewer participant, laboratory, equipment, and researcher

costs involved.

• Manageability: Storing and running statistical analyses on smaller datasets is easier

and reliable.
 PARAMETER & STATISTIC
Population Parameter Vs. Sample Statistic

When you collect data from a population or a sample, there are various measurements

and numbers you can calculate from the data.

A Parameter is a measure that describes the whole population.

A Statistic is a measure that describes the sample.

You can use estimation or hypothesis testing to estimate how likely it is that a sample

statistic differs from the population parameter.

Parameter Population Sample Statistic
Name Parameter Symbol
 Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
Statistics is a branch of mathematics dealing with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of

masses of numerical data. It is basically a collection of quantitative data.

Types of Statistics –

 Theoretical Statistics

 Applied Statistics

• Descriptive Statistics

• Inferential Statistics
 Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive Statistics is a term given to the analysis of data that helps to describe, show and summarize data

in a meaningful way. It is a simple way to describe our data. Descriptive statistics is very important to

present our raw data ineffective/meaningful way using numerical calculations or graphs or tables. This type

of statistics is applied on already known data.

Types of Descriptive Statistics –

• Measure of Central Tendency

• Measure of Variability
 Inferential Statistics
In Inferential Statistics predictions are made by taking any group of data in which you are interested. It can

be defined as a random sample of data taken from a population to describe and make inference about the

population. Any group of data which includes all the data you are interested is known as population. It

basically allows you to make predictions by taking a small sample instead of working on whole population.
 Difference between Descriptive & Inferential Statistics

S.No. Descriptive Statistics Inferential Statistics

It gives information about raw data which describes It makes inference about population using data drawn
1.
the data in some manner. from the population.

It helps in organizing, analyzing and to present data It allows us to compare data, make hypothesis and
2.
in a meaningful manner. predictions.

It is used to explain the chance of occurrence of an

3. It is used to describe a situation.
event.

It explain already known data and limited to a It attempts to reach the conclusion about the
4.
sample or population having small size. population.

It can be achieved with the help of charts, graphs,

5. It can be achieved by probability.
tables etc.
SAMPLING METHODS
 SAMPLING METHODS
The methods of drawing a sample or samples from the given population are divided into two categories as

given :

Probability (Random) Non-Probability (Non-Random)

• Simple Random Sampling • Convenience Sampling

• Stratified Sampling • Purposive Sampling

• Cluster Sampling • Quota Sampling

• Systematic Sampling • Judgement Sampling

• Multi-Stage Sampling
 Probabilistic Sampling Methods : Sample Random Sampling
In this method, every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected each time a sample
is drawn from the population. For applying this method, an exhaustive li of members of the population of
interest is prepared to identify each member by a distinct number. Such a list is called sampling frame for
experiment. The frame for experiment helps to draw sample from the population using randomly generated
numbers of the members to be included in the sample.

For example, to draw a random sample of 50 students from the population of 3500 students in a college,
first assign each of 3500 students a unique identification number and then generate a set of 50 random
numbers in the range of values from 1 and 3500 by computer or other means to draw a sample of 50
students. The procedure may be repeated any number of times.

One disadvantage with this method is that all members of the population have to be available for selection
that may not be possible every time.
 Probabilistic Sampling Methods : Stratified Sampling
This method is useful when the population consists of a number of heterogeneous sub populations (age,

industry type, gross sales, number of employees, etc.). These mutually exclusive sub-populations are called

strata. A desirable size of sample using simple random sampling method is drawn from each strata (or

group). Individual stratum samples are combined to obtain an overall sample for analysis.

This sampling procedure is preferred over the simple random sampling procedure because, for the same

sample size, more representative sample from each stratum is obtained.

 Probabilistic Sampling Methods : Stratified Sampling
For example, if management of a company is concerned about low motivational level or high absentee rate
among the employees, it makes sense to stratify the population of employees. Following table shows that
750 employees of an organization are classified according to their job levels. If a sample of 100 employees is
to be taken for study, then their number to be selected from each stratum is shown in Table.

Number of
Strata Job Level Employees
(Elements)
1 Top Management 15
2 Middle Level Management 30
3 Lower Level Management 55
4 Supervisors 105
5 Clerks 510
6 Secretaries 35
TOTAL 750
 Probabilistic Sampling Methods : Systematic Sampling

This procedure is useful when elements of the population are already arranged in some order (e.g.

alphabetic list of people with driving license, bank customers by account numbers, etc.). In such cases, one

element of population is chosen at random from first elements and then every kth element (member) is

included in the sample. The number, k = N/n, where N is the size of population and n is the size of desired

sample is called the sampling interval. For example, if a sample size of 50 is desired from a population

consisting of 1000 accounts receivable, then sampling interval is k = N/n = 1000/50 = 20. Thus, a sample of

50 accounts is selected by moving through the population and identifying every 20th account after the first

randomly selected account number.

 Non-Probabilistic Sampling Methods : Judgement Sampling

The Judgment Sampling is used when a specific number of respondents are in the best position to provide

the desired information. The results of this method cannot be generalized because responses from a set of

respondents who are conveniently available are considered. This method is useful only in those cases where

desired information can only be obtained from a very specific section of respondents. However, the validity

of the sample results depends on the judgment of the investigator in choosing the sample.
 Non-Probabilistic Sampling Methods : Convenience Sampling

In this procedure, units to be included in the sample are selected at the convenience of the investigator. For

example, (i) a student for the project on 'food habits among adults may use his/her own friends in the

college to constitute a sample because respondents are readily available and will participate for little or no

cost, and (ii) public opinion surveys conducted by any TV channel near the railway station, bus stop, or in a

market.

This method is easy for collecting data on a particular issue but samples may not truly represent the

population and hence precautions should be taken in drawing inferences about a population characteristics

based on convenient samples.

Thank You