INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

METHODS
BHOJ RAJ POUDEL
Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM)
June 08, 2022 │ Kathmandu
 SAMPLING PROCESS

- Probability Sampling
- Non-Probability Sampling

Errors in selecting appropriate sampling methods

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 AN
OVERVIEW
OF
SAMPLING
TECHNIQUE

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 PROBABILITY SAMPLING
• Identify a suitable sampling frame based on your research question(s)
or objectives.

• Decide on a suitable sample size.

• Select the most appropriate sampling technique and select the sample.

• Check that the sample is representative of the population.

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 SELECTING SAMPLING FRAME
» Are cases listed in the sampling frame relevant to your research topic, in
other words, will they enable you to answer your research question and
meet your objectives?
» How recently was the sampling frame compiled, in particular is it up to
date?
» Does the sampling frame include all cases, in other words, is it complete?
» Does the sampling frame exclude irrelevant cases, in other words is it
precise?
» (For purchased lists) Can you establish and control precisely how the
sample will be selected?

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 DECIDING ON A SUITABLE SAMPLE SIZE
1. The confidence you need to have in your data – that is, the level of certainty that the
characteristics of the data collected will represent the characteristics of the total
population;

2. The margin of error that you can tolerate – that is, the accuracy you require for any
estimates made from your sample;

3. The types of analyses you are going to undertake – in particular the number of
categories into which you wish to subdivide your data;

4. The size of the total population from which your sample is being drawn.

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INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

FACTORS
ON CHOICE
OF NON-
PROBABILIT
Y
SAMPLING

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