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Sampling and Sampling Distributions

Nehfh

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Jyrus Quim Cruspero
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16 views

Sampling and Sampling Distributions

Nehfh

Uploaded by

Jyrus Quim Cruspero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson: Sampling and Sampling Distributions

I. Introduction

In statistics, we rarely have access to an entire population, so we often rely on samples to make
inferences. Understanding sampling and sampling distributions is fundamental for ensuring
that conclusions drawn from a sample accurately reflect the broader population.

II. Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define and differentiate between population and sample.


2. Identify various sampling techniques and explain their appropriateness in different
scenarios.
3. Explain the concept of a sampling distribution and its importance in statistics.
4. Understand the Central Limit Theorem and its implications for sampling distributions.

III. Lesson Content

A. What is Sampling?

Sampling is the process of selecting a subset (sample) from a larger group (population) to make
inferences about the entire population. This is crucial because:

 Collecting data from an entire population can be impractical or impossible.


 A well-chosen sample can represent the population effectively.

Key Terms:

 Population: The complete set of individuals, items, or data points of interest.


 Sample: A subset of the population that is used to represent the population in statistical
analysis.

B. Types of Sampling Methods

There are several ways to select a sample, depending on the objectives of the study and the
nature of the population:
1. Random Sampling: Every individual in the population has an equal chance of being
selected. This reduces bias and ensures each sample is representative of the population.
o Simple Random Sampling: Every member of the population has an equal chance
of being selected.
o Systematic Sampling: Selecting every nth member of the population after a
random starting point.
2. Stratified Sampling: The population is divided into subgroups (strata) based on a shared
characteristic, and samples are taken from each stratum.
3. Cluster Sampling: The population is divided into clusters, and a few clusters are
randomly selected to be fully surveyed.
4. Convenience Sampling: Selecting individuals who are easily accessible. While practical,
this method is prone to bias.
5. Quota Sampling: A non-random sampling method where a researcher selects
participants to fill specific quotas or subgroups.

Activity: Students can work in pairs to identify real-world examples of when each sampling
method would be most appropriate, such as election polling (stratified) or conducting a survey at
a public event (convenience).

C. Sampling Distributions

A sampling distribution refers to the probability distribution of a given statistic (such as the
mean) from a sample. If you take multiple samples from the same population and calculate the
mean for each, the distribution of those means forms the sampling distribution.

1. Key Concepts:
o Statistic: A value calculated from a sample (e.g., sample mean or sample
proportion).
o Parameter: A value that describes the entire population (e.g., population mean).
2. Example: Imagine you take several samples from a population and calculate the sample
mean for each. The spread of these means will form the sampling distribution of the
sample mean.
3. Characteristics of Sampling Distributions:
o As sample size increases, the sampling distribution of the sample mean becomes
more normally distributed, regardless of the population distribution. This is a
key element of the Central Limit Theorem.
o The mean of the sampling distribution of the sample mean is equal to the
population mean.
o The standard deviation of the sampling distribution (called the standard error)
decreases as sample size increases.

Formula for Standard Error:


Where:

 SE is the standard error,


 σ is the population standard deviation, and
 n is the sample size.

D. Central Limit Theorem (CLT)

The Central Limit Theorem (CLT) is one of the most important concepts in statistics. It states
that the sampling distribution of the sample mean will approach a normal distribution, regardless
of the shape of the population distribution, as the sample size becomes large (typically n ≥ 30).

 The CLT allows us to use the normal distribution to make inferences about population
parameters based on sample statistics, even if the population is not normally distributed.

Why is CLT important?

 It allows statisticians to use the normal distribution to calculate probabilities and make
decisions based on sample data.
 It provides a foundation for hypothesis testing and confidence intervals.

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