SAMPLE SIZE

In determining sample size for investigation purposes, the subject of the study
should be identified first including its population. Calculate sample size by using Slovin's
Equation in Pagoso (1993); Atkinson (1996):

where: n - sample size

N - population
e - allowable error
The allowable error should be from 5 percent to 20 percent provided computed sample
size should not be lower than 30.

Example 1:

Example 2:
n = 43 the number of subjects needed at 15% allowable error. This increase in
allowable error brings the decrease in sample size provided it will not be less
than 30.

Basic Sampling Techniques

There are two basic sampling techniques: (1) Probability Sampling Techniques, and (2)
Non-Probability Sampling Techniques.
1. Probability Sampling Techniques. A process of selecting a sample in such a way
that all individuals in the defined population have an equal and independent chance
of being selected for the sample, the process being called as randomization. In other
words, every individual has the same probability of being selected and selection of
one individual in no way affects selection of another individual. Several sampling
procedures can be used under this technique.
a) Simple Random Sampling. This type of sampling technique uses the concept
of lottery method of getting a sample. If the total number of population say 1 000
and the required sample size is 286, you may get a small piece of paper and
number from 1 to 1 000. The numbered small pieces of paper will be put in box.
Mix them by shaking the box and draw the required number of sample size.
Take note that when you draw the first number say 25, number 25 will be one of
your samples out of 286 from a population of 1 000 and when you draw the next
member of your sample, do not forget to return to the box the number which you
have drawn to complete the probability sum of 1.0 for the whole drawing of
samples.
b) Stratified Sampling. It is the process of selecting a sample in such a way that
identified sub-groups in the population are represented in the sample in the
same proportion that they exist in the population. It can also be used to select
equal-sized samples from each of a number of subgroups if subgroup
comparisons are desired. Proportional stratified sampling would be appropriate,
for example, if you are going to take a survey prior to a national election in order
to predict the probable winner. You would want your sample to represent the
voting population. Therefore, you would want the same proportion of the
Nacionalista Party and Liberal Party, for example, in your sample as existed in
 the population. Other likely variables for proportional stratification might include
educational background, gender, socioeconomic status, and the like. On the
other hand, equal-sized samples would be desired if you want to compare the
performance of different subgroups. The steps in stratified sampling are very
similar to those in random sampling except that selection is from subgroups in
the population rather than the population as a whole. Stratified sampling involves
the following steps:
1. Identify and define the population.
2. Determine desired sample size as in Table 1.
3. Identify the variable and subgroups (strata) for which you want to guarantee
appropriate representation (either proportional or equal).
4. Classify all members of the population as members of one of the identified
subgroups.
5. Randomly select (using a table of random numbers or by using lottery method)
an "appropriate" number of individuals from each of the subgroups, "appropriate"
meaning either a proportional number of individuals or an equal number of
individuals.
c) Cluster Sampling. It is a sampling process in which groups, not individuals, are
randomly selected. All the members of selected groups have similar
characteristics. It is a result from a two-stage process in which the population is
divided into clusters and a subset of the clusters is randomly selected. Clusters
are commonly based on geographic areas or districts. For example, the sample
for a household survey taken in a city may be selected by using city blocks as
clusters; a random sample of city blocks is selected, and all households within
the selected city blocks are surveyed.
Steps in Cluster Sampling
The steps in cluster sampling are not very different from those involved in random
sampling. The major difference is that random selection of groups (clusters) is involved,
not individuals. Cluster sampling involves the following steps:
1. Identify and define the population.
2. Determine the desired sample size.
3. Identify and define a logical cluster.
4. List all clusters (or obtain a list) that comprise the population.
5. Estimate the average number of population members per cluster.
6. Determine the number of clusters needed by dividing the sample size by the
estimated size of a cluster.
7. Randomly select the needed number of clusters (using a table of random numbers).
8. Include in your study all population members in each selected cluster.

Cluster sampling can be done in stages, involving selection of clusters within clusters.
This process is called multi-stage sampling. For example, schools can be randomly
selected and then classrooms within each selected school can be randomly selected.
An Example of Cluster Sampling:
Let us see how our superintendent would get a sample of teachers if cluster sampling
were used. The steps are as follows:
1. The population is all 5 000 teachers in the superintendent's school system.
2. The desired sample size is 500.
3. A logical cluster is a school.
4. The superintendent has a list of all the schools in the district; there are 100 schools.
5. Although the schools vary in the number of teachers per school, there is an average
of 50 teachers per school.
6. The number of clusters (schools) needed equals the desired sample size, 500,
divided by the average size
7. Therefore, 10 of the 100 schools are randomly selected.
8. All teachers in each of the 10 schools are in the sample (10 schools, 50 teachers per
school, equals the desired sample size).

d) Systematic Sampling. Is a sampling technique in which individuals are selected

from a list by taking every kth name? What is a "kth" name? That depends on
what K is. If K = 4, selection involves taking every 4th name, if K = 10, every
10th name, and so forth. What K actually equals depends on the size of the list
and the desired sample size: The major difference between systematic sampling
and the other types of sampling is the fact that all members of the population do
not have an independent chance of being selected for the sample. Once the first
name is selected, all the rest of the individuals to be included in the sample are
automatically determined. Even though choices are not independent, a
systematic sample can be considered a random sample if the list of the
population is randomly ordered. One or the other has to be random either the
selection process or the list. If however, the list of population is not randomly
ordered, systematic sampling is as good as non-probability sampling.
Steps in Systematic Sampling
1. Identify and define the population.
2. Determine the desired sample size.
3. Obtain a list of population.
4. Determine what K is equal to by dividing the size of the population by the desired
sample size.
5. Start at some random place at the top of the population list.
6. Starting at that point, take every kth name on the list until the desired sample size is
reached.
7. If the end of the list is reached before the desired sample size is reached, go back to
the top of the list.
2. Non-Probability Sampling Techniques. In non-probability sampling, there is no
random selection of cases from the population. Randomization process is not
considered in this technique of getting a sample. The samples or subjects that are
needed are merely taken or selected for a certain purpose of the study. For
example, you would like to deter mine the mathematics performance of students as
to their socioeconomic status. In a probability sampling, the distribution of
socioeconomic status requires a sample of subject of study from those with low,
average, and high socioeconomic status. But, in a non-probability sampling the
researcher has the option to select subject of study to those only with high or low or
average socioeconomic status only.
Several sampling techniques under this non-probability sampling are as follows:
a) Accidental or Incidental Sampling. It is a process of getting a subject of study
that is only available during the period.
For example, if the researcher would like to conduct a survey on which brands of
toothpaste are top sellers in Region VI, the researcher has to identify the peak
shopping hours in a certain mall and standby at the exit gate and interview the
number of shoppers who came out about the brand of toothpaste they bought
until the researcher has met the desired sample size.
b) Quota Sampling. It is a process of getting a sample of subject of study through
quota system. For example in making an opinion survey about legalization of
divorce in the Philippines, the researcher can assign a quota system of subjects
of investigation such all fourth year students taking Political Science courses in
all Higher Education Institutions in every region.
c) Purposive Sampling. In this sampling technique, the researcher simply picks
out the subjects that are representatives of the population depending on the
purpose of the study. For example, in a study on NSAT Performance of Science
Students, the researchers can study only those students belonging to a high
socioeconomic status or those with average socioeconomic status, but not a
representative of all students.
When the population and the required sample size have been determined, the
researcher is now ready to prepare the number of copies of a data gathering
instruments to be used in his/her investigation.