Sample and Sampling Methods

K.K.Gupta
While procuring any data, is required sampling .A sample is a subset of individuals from a
larger Populations.
Sampling means methods for selecting the group (sample ) from a population in order to
determine the characteristics of a population. .
For example, if pH of water in a river has to find out then only getting the value from one
sample is not sufficient rather many samples have to be collected
Secondly, researching the opinions of students in University, survey of a sample of 100 students
is required.
In statistics, sampling allows to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of a population.

Population & sample Theoretical basis of sampling

Theoretically the sampling is based on two laws
B
C D Law of statistical regularity – It states that the sample is
A
drawn randomly from a population and such sample
E F
G
H posses the same characteristics as that of population
Law of inertia of large numbers – It dictates that besides
above , it dictates that larger the size of sample , the
greater the accuracy of results.
Hence sampling is a scientific method adopted for
biological data analysis

Characteristics of a good sample -To extrapolate the inference of the sample to the population,
the sample should be:
• A representative of the population.
• Should be large enough.
If sample is too large ,then there is :-
• Good precision
• Less errors
• Less bias
• But, Wastage of time, money and resources and Not cost-effective
In contrast when sample is too small in size , then there will be :-
• Inaccurate results.
• More source of biasness.
• Power of the study comes down.
 Study fails to give meaningful information. Waste of resources on a inaccurate study. Ethical
issues about recruiting patients, becomes a meaningless study.
Then , usual Question arise , what could be the size of good sample?
Calculation of sample size based on proportions
Sample size depends upon the proportions and is calculated by the given Slovin’s formula
1. Sample Size(n) = N / (1 + N*e2) N
N= population size. ...
e = margin of error
A good maximum sample size is usually around 10% of the population, as long as this does
not exceed 1000. For example, in a population of 5000, 10% would be 500. In a population of
200,000, 10% would be 20,000. This exceeds 1000, so in this case the maximum would be 1000.
Q. Determine the sample size required to find out the proportion of M.Sc. Zoology students
receiving corona vaccine .if the vaccination coverage area in the studies was 80% .
In this
1. Count the number of students i.e N
2. Confidence level is 80% i.e error is 20% or 0.2
3. 3 put the value in formula
4. n=N/(1+N*0.22)
for instance if N=100 ,then n will be 100/5=20
Therefore the sample size is 20
Types of sampling
A. Probability sampling methods include
B. Non Probaility /Non Random sampling
 simple random sampling,
 systematic sampling,  Judgment
 Quota
 stratified sampling, and  Convenience
 Multistage sampling.

Probability sampling methods

Probability sampling means that every member of the population has a chance of being selected.
It is mainly used in quantitative research. If any one needs to produce results that are
representative of the whole population, probability sampling techniques are the most valid
choice. The main attribute of this sampling method is that every sample has the same probability
of being chosen.
Simple random sampling
It is method of probability sampling where every item in the population has an even chance and
likelihood of being selected in the sample.
It is also sometimes known as a method of chances. Because the selection of items entirely
depends on luck or probability
Steps
1. Identify and define the population
2. Determine the desired size
3. List all individuals of the populations
4. Assign all individuals on the consecutive number from zero to required number
5. Each individuals must have the same number of digits as other individual
6. Select the arbitrary number in the table of Random number
7. For the selected number ,look only at number of digits assigned to each population
number
Simple reandom sampling may be
a. Lottery methods – In this method each individulas is allotted a number. Chit of each
number is prepared and folded uniformly and mixed a definite number of slips are chosen as per
sample size It is a popular method.The method becomes troublesome if population is large
b. Random Number Tables -In the random number method, assign every individual a
number. By using a random number generator or random number tables, then randomly pick a
subset of the population..
Merits
More scientific and personal biasness is ruled out
As per law ,grater the size of sample ,the larger will be its representative
capacity of populations
The method is economical as it save money , time and other resources
Demerits
requires complete set of population which may not be available
If sample size is small then it may not properly represents the sample
If sample units happened to spread widely to nooks and corners of a
geographically area then data collection becomes clear Stratified

In a stratified sample, researchers divide a non homogenous population into

homogeneous subpopulations called strata (the plural of stratum) based on specific
characteristics (e.g., race, gender, location, etc.).
Every member of the population should be in exactly one stratum.
Each stratum is then sampled using another probability sampling method, such as cluster
or simple random sampling.
 It is applied when stratified sampling when a population’s characteristics are diverse and
properly represented in the sample
For example if a population of human has diverse group like male , female old Sc St
etc . Then a strata of each group is stratified in to sub group

• Types Proportional to size

• In this case fixed proportion or percentage of items is selectred from each group or
stratum For example if a collection consists species A 150 and species B 250 , then equal
proportion say 10% individuals are selected in order to select the sample
• So it will be 15 from Sp.A and 25 from B
• Disproportional to size
• If different stat exhibit different levels of within strata variability then a disproportionate
size is considered
• For example if there is population of 150 Sp A & and other is species B in 250 .if 10% of
fishes are in ratio of 3>1
• then the selected sample will includes
• So one will be 400X10/100 =40 and species a will be 40X3/4=30 and other will be
40X1/4 =10
• Good representation of all strata in the population
• High precise estimation
• Spread of sapling units is less as compare to simple , therefore save , money time and
resources
• Demerits
• Sometimes difficult to divide the p[opulation in to homogenous group
• If different strata is overlapping then it is difficult to manage
Systematic
 • Used when a complete list of population is available such that the units are arranged in
order to such as alphabetical order , ascending order , chronological order
• For example population size =N
• Sample size =n sampling interval =k
• Then, k=N/n
• For example if 10 units are to be selected from a population size of 1000 then sample
interval i.e k=1000/10 =100
• So 100 slips are prepared 1.2…..100.and slip is drawn on lottery basis
• Suppose slip no. is 3 then sample unit will be 3. 103 203. 303. 403 . And so on

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 35 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

• No need to select all units

• Method is simple, hence reduce the time ,cost and other resources
Demerits
• Used only when complete population arranged in order is avaialble
• This is stage wise sampling and is applied in large survey program
• Repeated sampling technique is simple a at primary , intermediate and final stage
• For example if we want to find out the diversity status of Drosophila species of
Jharkhand ,
• Then randomly first sampling will be done at state level and then at commissioner level
and finally at district level etc.
 • It will involve any of the random sampling methods simple random . Stratified cluster

• Suitable in large scale where units are big and is not possible to take up complete
enumeration
•Method reduces the job of preparing the list of all units and reduces the time , costs and other
resources
• Demerits
• Some tomes may be less accurate
Non Random Sampling
A method in which ever items / individuals /unit of population do not have equal chance of being
selected as sample . so in this case a biasness in results tens to happen.
Classification
1. Judgement sampling
2. Quota sampling
3. Convenience sampling
Judgement sampling -
It is a simple technique in which sample is selected on personal judgments of the investigator
depending upon the objectives of the survey .
For example on the basis of experience an investigator select eutrophied ponds /lakes to study
the diversity of fishes , means he is ignoring the non eutrophied . It is good but the result will be
partial and biased .
Merits
1.It is suitable when universe is small. If the universe is small , the random sampling may
missed many of the important unit, but by Judgement sampling , it is possible to include.
2. In order to solve day to day problems , Judgement sampling is said to be more suitable as
comparatively it saves a lot of time than random sampling .
Demerits
The method is not scientific as sample is selected arbitrarily
Sample is subjected to personal biasness or prejudice
Quota sampling
Based on objectives, in this method certain quota are fixed with regard to units to be selected
and number of classes to be considered. In other word population is divided in to homogenous
group and from each group quota are fixed
For example if investigators find out the average IQ of the class . then at first categories will be
formed and then certain quota will be allotted as per personal judgment . suppose among 100
students 20% will be general,boys , 20 % general girls ,20% obc Boys , 15 % Obc girls , 15 %
SC 10% ST
Or to know the condition of hospital , among 100 patient on quota basis of sampling , he may
cover 30 –men, 40 women, 15 children of age between 12-15 and 15 cardiac patients
Merits
the method is more suitable in public opinion survey
The method minimize the costs, time and other resources
Demerits
The method is not scientific as the investigator selects the sample units arbitratily
The method sometimes may be sybjected to personal biasness or prejudice of investigators
Convenience Sampling
It is technique of sampling according to which sample units are selected as per convenience of
investigators or the purpose of survey It is also called chink means proportion of population to
be investigated and is selected neither by probability nor by judgement
Usually the sample is selected by telephone directory or records or previous data
For example if anyone wants to do sampling for an objective to know the mother & child care of
post delivery , then investigator perform sampling from records which maintain the visit of such
mother with her child in the hospital rather selecting her as subjects
Merits
Simple to follow
Inexpensive , no time
Most suitable for pilot studies rather actual survey
Demerits
Not scientific
Subjected to personal biasness