POPULATION

• Population is any group of individuals that have one or more

characteristics in common and that are of interest to the

researcher.

• In research, population is the subject, object, individuals,

institutions or geographical area about which the investigator

is interested to study.

• For ex- students of a course, the employees of an institution,

the degree college of Odisha etc.

Sample

• Sample is a small proportion of a population selected for

observation and analysis.

• It is the representative of population in which all the

characteristics of population are present.

Characteristics of Good sample

• Accuracy: refers to the degree to which bias is absent from

the sample

• Precision: how smaller is the difference between sample

values and the population values.

Types of sample Design

1. Probability sampling

a. Simple random sampling

b. Systematic sampling

c. Stratified sampling

d. Cluster sampling
2. Non probability sampling

a. Convenience or incidental sampling

b. Purposive sampling

c. Judgement sampling

d. Quota sampling

e. Snowball sampling

1. Probability sampling

• Is otherwise known as chance sampling or random

sampling.

• Probability sampling is that procedure in which all the

units of a population have an equal and fixed chance of

being selected as sample.

• Non zero chance selection.

• It is mainly used in quantitative research.

a. Simple random sampling

• Each unit of population has an equal and independent

chance to be selected as sample.

• Methods are- lottery method, picking chits from bowl,

random table method, blind folded method, tossing a

coin, throwing a dice etc.

• When the population is homogeneous, we use random

sample method.

b. Stratified Sampling:

• When population is very much heterogeneous and it is

divided into different mutually exclusive sub populations

or strata, at that time stratified random sampling used.

 • Strata means sample is divided on the basis of age, sex,

socio economic status, occupation, religion, residence

(rural or Urban) etc.

c. Systematic sampling:

• In systematic sampling individuals are selected from a list

by taking every Kth element.

• The entire population is arranged in a particular order i.e.,

ascending or descending.

• When a frame of population is available or population is

listed accurately and it is finite at that time systematic

sampling is appropriate.

• Formula-K=N/n

• Where N=Population size

• N=sample size

d. Cluster Sampling: (Area sampling)

• Cluster sampling is a type of random sampling in which

groups, not individuals are randomly selected.

• Used when the population is finite but a list of units of

population does not exist, or the population is scattered

over a vast geographical area.

• This technique is used when large population

(geographical dispersed) is under study. Whole

population is divided into small groups which is called

clusters.

Stratified sampling Cluster sampling

Population is divided into few Population is divided into many

sub groups. sub groups.

Each subgroup has many Each subgroup has few

elements in it. elements in to it.

Stratifications are made Subgroups are selected on the

according to certain basis of some criterion of ease

characteristics which is related or availability of data collection.

to variables under study.

Researcher tries to secure Researcher tries to secure

homogeneity between sub heterogeneity withing

groups. subgroups.

Elements are chosen randomly Subgroups are randomly chosen

from subgroups from population.

i. Multistage sampling:

• Multistage sampling is also another form of cluster

sampling.

• Sometimes the clusters are done in stages, involving

cluster within cluster.

• Ex- for a survey in first stage we selected 10 towns of the

state as our sample.

2. Non-Probability sampling:

• Non probability sampling is that sampling where the

elements of population do not have equal chance of being

selected as sample.

• The sampling procedure does not afford any basis for

estimating the probability that each element in the

population has an equal chance of being included in the

sample.
a. Convenience sampling

• Also called grab sampling, availability sampling or

accidental sampling

• In this sampling the researcher or field workers have the

freedom to choose whomever they find.

• The researcher selects the most accessible population

members.

b. Purposive or judgement sampling:

• In this type of sampling, items for the sample are

selected deliberately by the researcher.

• The researcher selects population members who are

good prospects for accurate information.

• The researcher selects the sample from his previous

experience or by judging their representativeness to the

population.

• The researcher selects the respondents based on his

knowledge and judgement.

c. Quota sampling:

• It is a sampling technique in which entire population is

divided in to groups and the quota is assigned against

each group.

• Groups examples males, females, employes,

unemployed, age, location etc.

• Data is collected from a homogeneous group for ex,

45% from female and 55% from male.

 • Once the quota is assigned to each group then sample

is selected on convenience or personal judgement.

d. Snowball sampling:

• Otherwise known as Chain sampling, referral sampling,

network sampling, friend to friend sampling.

• It is a sampling technique in which researcher selects

one or two respondents first. These respondents refer or

identify other respondents.

• The snowball sampling is used when it is difficult to

identify the respondents and they are located through

referral network.

• In this a group first discovered. This group then used to

fin got others who possess similar characteristics and

who in turns identify others.