SONIA THAPLIYAL | PGT ECONOMICS | ADARSH BAL NIKETAN 1

Chapter- 3

Census and Sample Methods of Collection of Data

There are 2000 students in a college. An investigator wants to collect data regarding their family background. He
has two possible choices. First, he collect information related to all the 2000 students. Second, information
related to some of the students (Sample of students who would represent all 2000 students). In statistics the
first approach for collecting data is called Census method and second approach is called Sample method.

Census Method

Merits

Principle merits of census methods are as under:

1. Reliable and Accurate: Result based on census method of accurate and reliable. This is because each
and every item of the population studied.

2. Less Biased: Results based on census method are less biased. It is because of the absence of
investigator’s discretion regarding the relation of sample items.

3. Extensive Information: Information collected through the census method is quite exhaustive and
therefore, more meaningful because all the items of a universe are examined. For example, population
census in India gives exhaustive information relating to the numbers of people in different parts of the
country, their age and sex composition, education, status, occupation, and the like.

4. Study of Diverse Characteristics: By using census method, one can study diverse characteristics of the
universe.

5. Study of Complex Investigation: When items in the universe are of complex nature and it is necessary
to study each item, only Census Method can produce the desired results. Data on country's population
are collected by this method.

6. Indirect Investigation: Census Method can be successfully used in indirect investigation relating to
unemployment, poverty, corruption, etc.

Demerits

However, there are certain demerits of census method as under:

1. Costly: Census method is very costly and is, therefore, generally not used for ordinary investigation.
Only the government or some big Institutions can afford to use this method and that to for specific
purposes only.

2. Large Manpower: Census method requires lot of Manpower. Training of a large number of enumerators
becomes essential, which is a very difficult process.

3. Not Suitable for Large Investigations: If the universe comprises a large number of items, then it may
not be possible to cover each and every item. Census method becomes practically inoperative in such
situations.

Sample Method
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Sample method is widely used in our day to day life. Lady in the kitchen, for example, test only a grain or two of
the rise to know whether the rice is boiled or not. By examining only a few drops of blood, doctor determines the
blood group of a person.

Merits

Some of the principal merits of the sample methods are as under:

1. Economical:Sample method of Investigation is economical because only some units of the population
are studied.

2. Time saving: in this method, only limited numbers of the items are investigated. As such the process of
Investigation is time saving, not time consuming.

3. Identification of Error: because only a limited numbers of items are covered, errors can be easily
identified. To that extent sampling method shows better accuracy.

4. Large Investigations: Sample method is more feasible in situations of large investigations that the
census method which generally involved unaffordable cost.

5. Administrative Convenience: There is an administrative convenience in handling a limited number of

items. More capable and efficient investigators can be appointed.

6. Most Scientific: According to R. Fisher, Sample Method is more scientific because the sample data can
be convenient investigated from various angles.

Demerits

Yet there are some demerits of sample method is under:

1. Partial: it is only a partial investigation of the universe. The investigator’s bias in the selection of the
sample is not ruled out. Accordingly, the results may be biased as well.

2. Wrong Conclusion: If the selected sample does not represent the characteristics of the universe, the
study may end up with the wrong conclusions.

3. Difficulty in Selecting Representative Sample: It is not very easy to select a sample which would
represent the characteristics of the entire population.

4. Difficulty in Framing a Sample: sometimes the universe may be so diverse that it becomes difficult to
frame a sample.

5. Specialized Knowledge:Sampling involve the set of Technical procedures. One must have the technical
knowledge of choosing a representative sample from the universe. Persons who are well versed with all
the techniques of Sampling are not easily available.

Essentials of a Sample

1. Representative: It should represent all the items in the universe

2. Independent: All units of a sample must be independent of each other
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3. Homogeneity: Homogeneity (if more than one sample is selected from the universe then sample should
be Homogeneous)
4. Adequacy: The numbers of items in the samples should be fairly adequate so that reliable conclusion can
be drawn
Methods of Sampling

1. Random 4. Systematic
2. Purposive 5. Quota
3. Stratified 6. Convenience

Random Sampling

Random sampling is that method of sampling in which each and every item of the universe has equal chance of
being selected in the sample.

Random sampling may be done in any of the following way

1. Lottery method 2. Table of random number

Merits

1. Free from personal bias

2. Each and every item of the universe stands equal chance of being selected
3. The universe get fairly represented by the sample
4. This is very simple and straightforward method

Demerits

1. This method does not guarantee proportionate representation of different items in the universe
2. Random sampling does not give weightage to certain items in the universe

Purposive or Deliberate Sampling

Purposive sampling is that method in which the investigator himself makes the choice of the sample items which
in his opinion are the best representative of the universe
Merits

1. It is a flexible method
2. Selection of items can be deliberately tuned to purpose of study
3. It is a very simple technique of selection of sample items
Demerits

1. Possibility of personal bias in the selection of items

2. Reliability of the result becomes doubtful

Stratified or Mixed Sampling

According to this method of sampling, population is divided into different strata having different characteristics
and some of the items are selected from each strata, so that the entire population gets represented
Merits

1. The method covers diverse characteristics of the population

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2. On the basis of diverse characteristics of the population, a comparative analysis of the data become
possible
3. Offers reliable as well as meaningful result
Demerits

1. It has a limited scope as this method is suitable only when there is a complex knowledge about the
diverse characteristic of population
2. There is a possibility of bias at the time of classification of population
3. Which size of population is small it may be difficult to for the divided into parts
Systematic Sampling

According to this method, unit of the population are numerically, geographical and alphabetically arranged. Every
nth item of the numbered items is selected as a sample item.

Merits

1. This is very simple method

2. There is hardly any possibility of personal bias in this method

Demerits

1. Every item in the population does not get equal chance of being selected because only first item is
selected on the basis of random sampling.
2. If all the items in the population are homogeneous, then this method of sampling serves no specific
purpose.
Quota Sampling

In this method, the population is divided into different groups or classes according to different characteristics of
the population
Features

1. Not very expensive

2. High possibility of personal bias
3. The reliability of result become questionable

Convenience Sampling

In this method, sampling is done by the investigator in such a manner that suits his conveniences.to illustrate, an
investigator may select a sample of teachers merely by referring the college prospectus .this method is simple
and least expensive, but unscientific and unreliable. It depends too much on whims of enumerator.
Reliability of sampling data

1. If size small fail to represent the population

2. If the method of Sampling is not simple it will not if the method of Sampling is not simple it will not
adequate represent the population adequately represent the population
3. Personal bias of the enumerators should be less as possible otherwise the reliability of the data may
suffer.
Census Method Sampling Method

Coverage Collect information relating to all Only some of the items which represent
the items of universe the population are cover

Suitability Suitable when the area of Suitable when the area of Investigation
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Investigation is relatively strong is large

Accuracy Greater accuracy Less accuracy

Cost Expensive method Less expensive as compared to census

method

Time More time consuming Less time consuming

Nature of Suitable when diverse Suitable when the item has

Items characteristic homogeneous characteristic

Verification Verification not possible Verification is possible