Sampling

POPULATION FOR RESEARCH

 Meaning of sampling:

• Small portion of the population

• It is a small part of the entire
population having similar
characteristics of the population
• Sampling method of primary
data is used in surveys
 Definition

• Donald Tull and Dell Hawkins define Sample as “those

individuals chosen from the population of interest as
subjects in an experiment or to be the respondents to a
survey”
 Features of Sample and Sampling

• Small representative
• Reduces the time, efforts and money of the researcher
• Assumption that random selection of sample possess
similar characteristics
• Findings are accurate and reliable
 Significance of sampling/sample design
• Time saving
• Overcome complexities
• Motivation to research staff
• Detailed information
• Offers convenience to Researchers
• Economical
• Suitability
• Optimum use of resources
• Performance improvements
• Quality of research work
 Sample size
• It refers to the number of items to be selected from the universe to
constitute a sample
• Should be decided before selecting a method
• Size of sample should neither be excessively large, nor too small
• Small sample= error in generalisation
 Factors to be considered while deciding the sample size

• Area of research /The size of the universe

• The resources available
• Time frame
• The precision required
• Homogeneity/ heterogeneity of the universe
• Nature of study
• Method of sampling used
• Method of data collection
• Judgement of researcher
• For small populations (under 100 persons), the sample size is
approximately equal to the population. For average populations
(around 500 people) approx. 20%. For larger populations (it is 5000
pers), about 400 persons, but also a sample size of 1% can be
significant.
 Online calculators
• www.statisticshowto.com
• www.surveysystem.com
• www.qualtric.com
• www.smallseotools.com
 Types of sampling :

• Probability sampling
( random sampling)-possible chance
• Non probability sampling
As per the convenience of researcher, inaccurate
results may come
 Simple random sampling

• Each and every unit gets equal

chance
• Should be free from human bias
• Ideal method for survey
• Most popular method
 Systematic sampling
• Interval
• Sampling fraction
• Skip interval = population size/ sample size
• Start is done at random
• Eg: every 20th item
 Stratified sampling/ proportional
• Also known as proportional
sampling
• Strata
• Improvement over simple random
sampling
 Cluster sampling
• Individual units are not
selected as sample but group
together, selection is group
wise
• Less costly, less time
consuming
 Multi stage sampling
• Complex method
• Large data
• Two or three stage
 Convenience sampling
• Convenience sampling is a
type of non-probability
sampling that involves the
sample being drawn from that
part of the population that is
close to hand
Judgement sampling
 Quota sampling

• Quick result
• Biased method
• Possibility of errors
 Sequential sampling method
• Picks single or group of subjects in a given time interval
• Small sample size
• Depends more on researcher
 Snow ball sampling
• Reference sampling/ Chain
sampling
• Small population
• Low cost, time saving
• Useful to locate specific
population
 Distinguish between Probability method and
Non-probability method
• Probability method- large sample • Non probability method- small
size sample size