IDENTIFY AND DISTINGUISH THE

VARIOUS TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES, THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF SAMPLING, AND
SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION METHODS

PRESENTER:
JUSTINE GUGUNENI TUOLONG (PhD. Student)
Presentation Outline
• Why Sampling
• The essence of sampling
• Types of sample techniques (quantitative)
• Distinctions of the various probability sampling techniques
• Sample size determination methods
Why Sampling?
Population
• A Sample is often taken from full cases called population.
• Studying all cases in a population is
called CENSUS.
Sample
• Taking interest to study some cases
out of the population of a
phenomenon is by means sampling
case
• The term ‘population’ is not used in its
normal sense, as the full set of cases need
not necessarily be people (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2009)
The Essence of Sampling
• Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2009: 212), put forward 4 reasons why
sampling is of significance in research:
1. It would be impracticable for you to survey the entire population;
2. Cost savings: your budget constraints prevent you from surveying
the entire population;
3. Time savings: your time constraints prevent you from surveying the
entire population;
4. Data quality: you have collected all the data but need the results
quickly.
Distinction of various probability sampling techniques
Multi-stage sampling Cluster sampling Stratified strata Systematic sampling Simple random
sampling sampling
sometimes called Is, on the surface, Is a modification of Involves you selecting Involves you selecting
multi-stage cluster similar to stratified random sampling in the sample at regular the sample at random
sampling, is a sampling as you need which you divide intervals from the from the sampling
development to divide the population into sampling frame frame using either
of cluster sampling. It the population into two or more relevant random number
is normally used to discrete groups prior and significant strata tables, a computer or
overcome problems to sampling (Henry based on one or a an online random
associated with a 1990). number number generator,
geographically The groups are of attributes.
dispersed population termed clusters in this In effect, your
when face-to-face form of sampling and sampling frame is
contact is needed or can be based on any divided into a number
where it is expensive naturally occurring of subsets. A random
and time consuming to grouping. sample (simple or
construct a sampling systematic) is then
frame for a large drawn from each of
geographical the strata.
area.
Sample Size Determination Methods
• ‘Sample size’ is a term used for defining the number of individuals
included to conduct research. This can be based on demographics, such
as age, gender, or physical location and or treatment outcomes as in
experiments.
• The objective of sample size determination is for the purpose of
objectivity, given fair chance of representation or generalization of the
findings to the entire population – not too big and also not too small
(Bryman, 2012).
• Several sample size determination methods exist:
1. Yamane small sample size formulae,
2. Krejcie and Morgan sample size formulae,
3. Cochran Z-score sample size formulae, etc.
Factors to consider when determining sample size
• Goal and objective of the research – purpose of generalization of findings to
entire population/community
• Precision level – how exact you want the result to represent the true value
of everyone targeted.
• Confidence level – think of this from the perspective of risk. How much risk
are you willing to take on (90%, 95%, 98%, 99%). This has impact on the
completeness of your survey benchmarked to accuracy.
• Population variability (standard deviation) – how similar or different is the
population.
Caution of processes involved when
conducting probability sampling
1. Identify a suitable sampling frame based on your research
question(s) or objectives.
2. Decide on a suitable sample size.
3. Select the most appropriate sampling technique and select the
sample.
4. Check that the sample is representative of the population.