Sampling Techniques

Dr. Ravinder Kumar

Assistant Professor
AIBAS
Amity University Gurugram
Sampling

Sampling : it is a process of selection a sample

from a population
Population: well specified and identifiable
group
Parameter: A measure based upon entire
population
Sample: a small representation of the
population
Statistics: a measure based upon the sample
Types of sampling
Blalock (1960) define two category of sampling
methods:
1. Probability sampling method
2. Non probability method
Probability means the equal chances of selection
Conditions of Probability sampling
 Size of the population from which the sample is to
be taken must be known
 Each individual in the population have equal

chances of selection
 The Desired sample size must be clearly specified
Aims of the sampling
 To achieve maximum precision in estimating
about population value with in a given sample
size
 To avoid bias in the sample size

Factors influence Decision to sample

Size of the Sample
Cost involved in obtaining the element
Convenience and accessibility of the element
Methods of Probability sampling
 Simple random sampling
 Stratified random sampling
◦ Proportionate stratified
◦ Disproportionate stratified
 Area of cluster sampling
Simple random sampling
 In which each and every individual have equal
chance of being selected
 Methods of random selection
1. Fishbowl draw method
can’t apply on large sample and very simple method
2. Table of random numbers
3. Computer determine randomness
Disadvantages:
Doesn’t ensure those elements which exist in small
numbers
Sampling error with smaller size
Avoid the segments of the population
Stratified Random Sampling
 Population divided in two or more strata
 Proportionate stratified random sampling

Advantages:
Increase the representation of the sample
Minimum sampling error
Disadvantage
Difficult method
Time consuming
Classification error
Disproportionate stratified random
sampling
 Investigator gives equal weights to each of the
substrata
 Advantages:

◦ Less time consuming

◦ Investigator able to give weight to the particular group
 Disadvantage:
◦ Certain substrata is overrepresented and some under
represented
◦ This method is cannot be used where the investigator
have no idea about the composition of original
population
Area of cluster sampling
 This sampling is based upon the Geographical division
of territory, community, neighborhood, cities etc.
 Also known as multistage sampling
 Large scale survey are easily conducted
 Public opinion polls are easily smoothly conducted

Advantages:
◦ Large geographical area to be covered
◦ Save both time and money
◦ Gives more precision
◦ Flexible in nature
Disadvantage:
◦ Sampling error is very high
◦ Size difficulty
◦ It is difficult to ensure that selected individuals are independent
from other selected clusters
Non Probability sampling
 Quota sampling
 Purposive sampling or Judgmental Sampling
 Accidental sampling
 Snowball sampling
 Saturation sampling and dense sampling
 Double sampling
 Mixed sampling or systematic sampling
Quota sampling
 It is similar to stratified random sampling
◦ In this sampling the researcher recognize different strata
of population and from each strata he selects the
individual arbitrarily.
Advantages:
when quick results required
convenient and less costly
Give guarantee the inclusion of individual
Disadvantage:
Less representative of the population
Classification error
Less dependable and reliable
Purposive sampling or Judgmental
sampling
◦ Sampling is based upon the purpose of the research
only those individuals are selected which are
appropriate for the study
 Advantage:
◦ Easily accessible, convenient and gives guarantee of
the selection
 Disadvantage:
◦ Inferential statistics can’t be used
◦ Less representation of the population
◦ Sampling error if the investigator is nor
experienced
Accidental sampling
 Also known as incidental sampling
Pennington (2002) opportunity sampling
Heiman (1995) convenience sampling
Snowball sampling
Process of selecting sample using networks of friends and
known's.
It is basically used when the researcher wants to study some
hidden potential, which is not easily identifiable.
The basic research application of snowball sampling in small
research organization where N is not exceed 100.
It is a sociometric sampling method
Advantages:
Tells about the pattern of community, organization etc.
Disadvantaes:
Sample size doesn’t exceed 100.
Saturation and Dense sampling
In saturation sampling include all elements or
individual in which the researcher interested.
Dense sampling: when researcher selected 50%
or more from the population and takes
majority of individuals having characteristics
or traits which are interest to him.
Both sampling is best when the N is not more
than 1000.
Double sampling
Drawing a sample of individual from another
sample of them
Mixed or systematic sampling
In this type of sampling researcher selects the nth
person from a predetermined list of elements or
individuals.
Thank You