Sample

• Population: a data set representing the

entire entity of interest

• Sample: a data set representing a

portion of a population
Population

Sample
Why sampling?

Get information about large populations

 Less costs
 Less field time
 More accuracy i.e. Can Do A Better Job of
Data Collection
 When it’s impossible to study the whole
population
• Sample: It is a part of the population.
Characteristic of population called
parameter, and of sample called statistics.
The differences between probability and
non probability sampling, the results in
probability can be generalized, and in non
probability sampling can not.
Target Population: The population to be studied/
to which the investigator wants to generalize his
results
Sampling Unit: smallest unit from which sample
can be selected
Sampling frame: List of all the sampling units
from which sample is drawn
Sampling scheme: Method of selecting sampling
units from sampling frame
Parameter: numerical characteristic of a
population
 sampling
• Usually impossible to measure entire
population
• We assume that our samples are
representative of the population we are
studying
• Therefore, we can make conclusions
about the population of interest based
on our sample results
• Sample frame is a list of population
elements from which we select units to
be sampled
 Steps in developing a sampling plan

• Define the population of interest

• Choose the data collection method
• Choose the sampling frame
• Select a sampling method
• Determine sample size
• Develop and specify operation plan for
selecting sample elements
Factors commonly influencing the choice
between these designs include:

• * Nature and quality of the frame

• * Availability of auxiliary information
about units on the frame
• * Accuracy requirements, and the
need to measure accuracy
• * Whether detailed analysis of the
sample is expected
• * Cost/operational concerns
 Types of sampling
• Probability Samples: each member of the
population has a known non-zero probability of
being selected

• Nonprobability Samples: members are

selected from the population in some nonrandom
manner
• The differences between probability and non
probability sampling, the results in probability can
be generalized, and in non probability sampling
can not
 Probability samples

• Random sampling
– Each subject has a known probability of
being selected
• Allows application of statistical sampling
theory to results to:
– Generalise
– Test hypotheses
• Probability samples are the best

• Ensure
• Representativeness
• Precision
• Types of sample of Probability sample:
• A.1. Simple random sampling: Each member
of population has an equal possibility of
being chosen for the sample with chance
alone responsible for selection of any
member can be chosen by table of random
number. Simple random sampling ( not
haphazard) selected by the following
methods:
• 1. Lottery method.
• 2. computer generated random sampling.
• 3. Using the random number table.
Simple random sampling
 Simple random sampling
• Estimates are easy to calculate.
• Simple random sampling is always an EPS
design, but not all EPS designs are simple
random sampling.
• Disadvantages
• If sampling frame large, this method
impracticable.
• Minority subgroups of interest in population may
not be present in sample in sufficient numbers for
study.
• A.2. Systematically sample:
• Sampling fraction is a ratio between
sample size and population size
• A random starting point at the
beginning of sample chosen according
to the predominant selection schedule
e.g. 100 students are ranked by age
then begin with 8th students and every
20th student chosen (8th, 28th, 48th,…).
Systematic sampling
• Sampling interval: standard distance
between units on the sampling frame
• Sampling interval = population size /
sample size
• Disadvantages of random and
systematically sampling: They can`t
ensure that the structure of the sample will
be similar to the structure of the population
regarding certain characteristics (e.g. to
study anemia among medical students, I
might choose males more than females as
a number of sample therefore may no
anemia or less while female anemic
• A.3.Stratified sampling: The population
is divided into sampling unites that
contain individuals and then a random
sample of individuals proportionate to the
size of the sampling unites. E.g. in your
college four classes then chose 20% from
each class.

• A.4. Clustered sampling: The population

is divided into unites (or groups) not
individuals , then a random sample of
these clusters will be chosen, clusters
include e.g. schools, districts, hospitals,
villages, clinics, factories….
 Cluster sampling
Section 1 Section 2

Section 3

Section 5

Section 4
• A.5. Multistage sampling: This
procedure is carried out in phases
(stages) and can involve more than
one of the above sampling
methods. It is used or a very large
number of population. E.g. as if we
study Iraqi people so we divide
them into governments, then
districts, village, and so on.