SAMPLING

Submitted by: Vinay Kalambe: 09 Tejesh Parsekar: 19 Rasesh Patkar: 22

The Sampling Process



Define the population Specify sampling frame Specify sampling unit

Specify sampling method Determine sample size Specify sampling plan Select the sample

Define the population

 a) b) c) d)

The population is defined in terms of element units extent time

Specify sampling frame



A sampling frame is a means of representing the elements of the population. A sampling frame may be a telephone book, city directory, an employee roster, a listing of all students attending a university, or a list of possible phone numbers.

Specify sampling unit



The unit for sampling for example, city block, company, or household is selected. The sampling unit may contain one or several population elements.

Specify sampling method



The method by which sampling units are to be selected is described.

Determine sample size



The number of elements of the population to be sampled is chosen.

Specify sampling plan



The operational procedures for selection of the sampling units are selected.

Select the sample



The office and fieldwork necessary for the selection of the sample are carried out.

Characteristics of a good Sample Design



Goal orientation Measurability Practicality Economy

Advantages of Sampling
 

Sampling is cheaper than a census survey Execution of the fieldwork and the analysis of the results can be carried out speedily. Sampling results in greater economy of effort Enables the researcher to collect more detailed information Quality better than the quality in a census survey.

 

Limitations of Sampling


It fails to provide information on individual count. Sampling gives rise to certain errors .

Sampling Techniques

Non-probability sampling techniques



Relies on the personal judgment of the researcher rather than chance. The researcher can arbitrarily or consciously decide which element to include in the sample.

Non-probability techniques
1. Convenience Sampling Definition A non-probability sampling technique that attempts to obtain a sample of convenient elements. The selection of sampling units is left primarily to the interviewer.

Advantages


Least expensive and least time consuming The sampling units are accessible, easy to measure and co-operative.

Disadvantages


Contain unknown amounts of both variables and systematic selection errors. These errors can be very large when compared to the variable error in a simple random sampling of the same size.

2. Judgmental sampling

Definition A form of convenience sampling in which the population elements are purposively selected based on the judgment of the researcher.

Advantages


Low cost, convenient and quick. Value depends entirely on the researchers judgment, expertise and creativity. It is useful if broad population inferences are not required.

Disadvantage


It does not allow direct generalization to a specific population, usually because the population is not defined explicitly.

3. Quota Sampling Definition A non probability sampling techniques that is a two stage restricted judgmental sampling. The first stage consists of developing control categories or quotas of population elements. In the second stage, sample elements are selected based on convenience or judgment.

Disadvantages


Scope for high variances Scope for sizable selection errors.

Other types of non random samples

4. Snowball Sampling A variety of procedures. Initial respondents are selected by probability methods. Additional respondents are obtained from information provided by the initial respondents.

5. Purposive sample


Subjects selected on the basis of specific characteristics or qualities. Users of a particular technology. Such as young mothers with small children, doctors, members of a fan club, etc.

Probability sampling techniques



Sampling units are selected by chance. Every potential sample need not have the same probability of selection, but it is possible to specify the probability of selecting any particular sample of a given size.

Probability Techniques
1. Simple Random Sampling Definition A probability sampling technique in which each element in the population has a known and equal probability of selection is known as simple random sampling (SRS).

Advantages


It is easy to understand The sample result may be projected to the target population.

Disadvantages


It is often difficult to construct a sampling frame that will permit a simple random sample to be drawn. SRS can result in samples that are very large or spread over large geographic areas, thus increasing the time and cost of data collection. SRS often results in lower precision with larger standard errors than other probability sampling techniques.

2. Systematic sampling Definition A probability sampling technique in which the sample is chosen by selecting a random starting point and then picking every ith element in succession from the sampling frame.

Advantages


Systematic sampling is less costly and easier that SRS, because random selection is done only once. The random numbers do not have to be matched with individual element as in SRS. Systematic sampling can even be used without knowledge of the composition (elements) of the sampling frame.

3. Stratified Random Sampling Definition A probability sampling technique that uses a two-step process to partition the population into subpopulations, or strata is known as stratified random sampling. Elements are selected from each stratum by a random procedure.

4. Cluster Sampling Definition The target population is divided into mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive subpopulation called clusters. Then a random sample of clusters is selected based on probability sampling techniques such as simple random sampling. For each selected clusters, either all the elements are included in the sample or a sample of elements is drawn probabilistically.

Advantages

Low expected cost of errors. Low cost per sampling unit as compared to other sampling methods.

Disadvantage


High potential of sampling error as compared to other methods.

FIN.