SAMPLING DESIGN

By Adv. Muhoja; M (PhD), Macha,

B.
Date: 13 January, 2022
SAMPLING DESIGN
What is it?
Is a definite plan for obtaining a sample
from a given population. It refers to the
technique or the procedure the researcher
would adopt in selecting items for the sample.
• The selected respondents constitute what is
technically called a ‘sample’ and
• The selection process is called ‘sampling
technique.’
• The survey so conducted is known as ‘sample
survey’
Population and Sample defined
• Population is defined as all subjects (human or
otherwise) under study.
• Since some populations can be very large,
researchers cannot use every single subject, so a
sample must be selected.
• A sample is a subgroup of the population.
TYPES OF SAMPLE DESIGNS
•Probability sampling
•Non-probability sampling.
Probability sampling
 Probability sampling:
• Probability sampling is also known as ‘random sampling’ or
‘chance sampling’.
• Under this sampling design, every item of the universe has an equal
chance of inclusion in the sample.
• It is, so to say, a lottery method in which individual units are picked
up from the whole group not deliberately but by some mechanical
process.
• The results obtained from probability or random sampling can be
assured in terms of probability i.e., we can measure the errors of
estimation or the significance of results obtained from a random
sample, and this fact brings out the superiority of random sampling
 Probability sampling:
• Random sampling ensures the law of Statistical Regularity
which states that if on an average the sample chosen is a
random one, the sample will have the same composition and
characteristics as the universe.
• This is the reason why random sampling is considered as the
best technique of selecting a representative sample.
 Probability sampling: Random Sampling
• A random sample is obtained by using methods
such as random numbers
• In random sampling, the basic requirement is that,
for a sample of size n, all possible samples of this
size have an equal chance of being selected from
the population.
• Obtaining a random sample can be simplified in
actual practice by the use of random number tables.
• Various statisticians like Tippett, Yates, Fisher have
prepared tables of random numbers which can be
used for selecting a random sample.
EXAMPLE: TELEVISION SHOW INTERVIEW
• Suppose a researcher wants to produce a
television show featuring in-depth interviews with
state governors on the subject of capital
punishment. Because of time constraints, the 60-
minute program will have room for only 10
governors. The researcher wishes to select the
governors at random. Select a random sample of
10 states from 50.

STEPS
Number each state from 1 to 50, as shown. In this
• Using the random numbers shown in Figure
before, find a starting point. To find a starting
point, you generally close your eyes and place
your finger anywhere on the table.
• In this case, the first number selected was 27
in the fourth column.
• Going down the column and continuing on to
the next column, select the first 10 numbers.
They are 27, 95, 27, 73, 60, 43, 56, 34, 93,
and 06.
 Systematic sample
• In some instances, the most practical way of
sampling is to select every ith item on a list. Sampling
of this type is known as systematic sampling.
• An element of randomness is introduced into this
kind of sampling by using random numbers to pick
up the unit with which to start.
• A systematic sample is a sample obtained by
numbering each element in the population and then
selecting every third or fifth or tenth, etc.,
number from the population to be included in the
sample. This is done after the first number is
selected at random.
Step 1 Number the population units as shown in
example
Step 2 Since there are 50 states and 10 are to be
selected, the rule is to select every fifth state. This
rule was determined by dividing 50 by 10, which
yields 5.
Step 3 Using the table of random numbers, select
the first digit (from 1 to 5) at random. In this case,
4 was selected.
Step 4 Select every fifth number on the list,
starting with 4. The numbers include the following:
STRATIFIED SAMPLING
• If the population is heterogeneous with respect to the
characteristic under study, then one such sampling
procedure is a stratified sampling.
• The basic idea behind the stratified sampling is to divide
the whole heterogeneous population into smaller groups or
subpopulations, such that the sampling units are
homogeneous with respect to the characteristic under
study within then subpopulation and
• Heterogeneous with respect to the characteristic under
study between/among the subpopulations.
• Such subpopulations are termed as strata.
• Treat each subpopulation as a separate population and
draw a sample by SRS from each stratum.
• Note: ‘Stratum’ is singular and ‘strata’ is
STRATIFIED SAMPLING
• The major advantage of stratification is that it ensures
representation of all population subgroups that are important to
the study.
There are two major drawbacks to stratification
First, if there are many variables of interest, dividing a large
population into representative subgroups requires a great deal
of effort.
Second, if the variables are somewhat complex or ambiguous
(such as beliefs, attitudes) it is difficult to separate individuals
into the subgroups according to these variables.
The following three questions are highly relevant in the context
of stratified sampling:
(a) How to form strata?
Thus, strata are purposively formed and are usually based on past
experience and personal judgement of the researcher.
(b) How should items be selected from each stratum?
The usual method, for selection of items for the sample from each
stratum, resorted to is that of simple random sampling.
(c) How many items be selected from each stratum or how to
allocate the sample size of each stratum?
• A cluster sample is a sample obtained by
selecting a preexisting or natural group, called a
cluster, and using the members in the cluster for
the sample.
• If the total area of interest happens to be a big one, a convenient way
in which a sample can be taken is to divide the area into a number of
smaller non-overlapping areas and then to randomly select a number
of these smaller areas (usually called clusters), with the ultimate
sample consisting of all (or samples of) units in these small areas or
clusters.
• Thus in cluster sampling the total population is divided into a number
of relatively small subdivisions which are themselves clusters of still
smaller units and then some of these clusters are randomly selected for
inclusion in the overall sample.
Non-probability sampling
 Non-probability sampling
Non-probability sampling is that sampling procedure which
does not afford any basis for estimating the probability that each
item in the population has a chance of being included in the
sample.
Non-probability sampling is also known by different names
such as deliberate sampling, purposive sampling and
judgement sampling.
 Non-probability sampling
In other words, under non-probability sampling the
organisers of the inquiry purposively choose the
particular units of the universe for constituting a sample
on the basis that the small mass that they so select out of
a huge one will be typical or representative of the whole.
Thus, the judgement of the organizers of the study plays
an important part in this sampling design.
 Non-probability sampling
• In such a design, personal element has a great
chance of entering into the selection of the sample.
• Thus, there is always the danger of bias entering
into this type of sampling technique.
But if the investigators are impartial (fair/neutral),
work without bias and have the necessary experience so
as to take sound judgement, the results obtained from an
analysis of deliberately selected sample may be
tolerably reliable.
Sampling error in this type of sampling cannot be
estimated and the element of bias, great or small, is
always there.
CONVINIENCE SAMPLING
Is a non-probability sampling technique
where samples are selected from the
population only because they are
conveniently available to the researcher.
Researchers choose these samples just
because they are easy to recruit, and the
researcher did not consider selecting a
sample that represents the entire population
 Snowball sampling
Snowball sampling or chain-referral
sampling is defined as a non probability
sampling technique in which the samples have
traits that are rare to find.
This is a sampling technique, in which existing
subjects provide referrals to recruit samples
required for a research study.
The nature of snowball sampling is such, that
it cannot be considered for a representative
sample or in that case for statistical
studies.
Snowball sampling (network/referral/chain sampling?):
Commonly used when it is difficult to identify members of the
desired population, for example people who are working while
claiming unemployment benefit. You, therefore, need to:
—Make contact with one or two cases in the population
—Ask these cases to identify further cases.
—Ask these new cases to identify further new cases (and so
on)
—Stop when either no new cases are given or the sample is as
large as manageable.
• Weaknesses
• Chances of bias is big.
• Difficulties in selecting truly a
representative sample.
• Need for subject specific knowledge.
• Changeability of sampling units.
• Impossibility of sampling.
 Sample size
The sample size is an important concern for every researcher
for two reasons:
 The cost of conducting a study (the bigger the sample
the higher the cost of conducting a study); and

 The implications of the sample size for statistical tests

( the reliability or precision of the sample statistic
increases as the sample size increases, i.e. the larger
the value of the sample used to estimate it the more
precise will be the estimate).

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Other important issues
Study area (Justification supported by literature
or statistics), Criteria
Study Population (what is it)
Validity and Reliability (what s it)
Ethical considerations
Research clearance
Consent from all participants
Respect, dignity and honesty
Maintaining privacy and confidentiality of the
participants
Anonymity
The photos used in the study must have no
connection to what was said by the respondents