TOPIC: WHAT IS SAMPLING?
DESCRIBE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
SAMPLING METHOD WITH AN EXAMPLE
Subject: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Professor: Dr. Jayakumar B.
Paper Presented by: Mr. Juvvanapudi Pavan
The Meaning of Sample: Sampling is the procedure a researcher uses to gather people, places
or things to study. When a sample is selected it is crucial that the field researcher follow
procedures which will help to ensure that the sample studied is indeed representative of the
much larger population which it is presumed to represent. A sample also is a smaller
representation of a large whole. In other words, a section of the population (The group of
people, items or units under investigation) selected from the latter in such a way that they are
representative of a universe (a sphere of person or thing: a sphere of activity that is centered
on and includes everything associated with a person, place or thing) called a sample.
Definition of Sample: Sampling may be defined as “the selection of part of an aggregate or
totality based on which a judgment or inference about the aggregate or totality is made.”
Terms and Concepts used in Sampling and Sample Design: Selection is procedural, not
judgmental; Samples are drawn from a list, called source list or sampling frames, which
supposedly are complete enumeration of all units in the population being sampled.
Population or Universe: Population, or universe, is the aggregate of all units possessing
certain specified characteristics on which the sample seeks to draw interference.
Frame: a frame list or map elements of the universe.
Census: It denotes a total enumeration of individuals’ elements or units in a defined population.
Sample: A sample is composed of some fraction of the Population.
Design: The describes the method by which the sample is chosen.
Statistic: Statistics refers to the value of a variable or Attribute.
Parameter: The parameter is the value of a variable (or attribute) calculated from a population
that is being studied.
Estimating: Estimation is the generalization of a statistical description of a sample to the
appropriate population.
There are Bias, Sample Error, Precision, Accuracy, and Stratification are used in the
Sampling Design
Aim of Sampling: Sampling aims to select a representative subset of a population to conclude
the entire population without needing to study every individual. This approach saves time,
resources, and effort while maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the research findings.
Importance of Sampling: There are 6 Important Methods:
1. Only representative units are studied
2. Large area can be covered
3. Scrutiny of all results available is possible
4. Intensive Study is possible
5. Collecting of information in easy
6. Required results are attained.
Needs for Sampling (why sampling)
1. It saves money.
2. It saves time.
3. It gives the detailed and accurate measurements.
4. It is necessary when the population is infinite.
5. It is necessary when the study of an item causes its destruction.
6. It is necessary when the area of study is wide.
Procedure in Sampling Method:
Obtain a complete sampling frame
Give each case a unique number, starting at one
Decide on the required sample size
Select that many numbers from a table of random numbers or using a computer
Merits and Demerits of Sampling:
Merits (Advantage) of Sampling:
1. Less time and Effort
2. Less cost
3. More Reliable Results
4. Administrative convenience
5. More detailed and accurate information
6. Destructive nature of certain inquiries
7. The Sampling Method is best suited to time
Demerits (Disadvantages) of Sample:
1. A sample survey must be carefully planned and executed. Otherwise, the results obtained
may be inaccurate and misleading. So, the sampling procedure must be perfect.
2. Sampling requires the service of experts. In the absence of qualified and experienced
persons, the information obtained from the sample cannot be relied upon. Bias and prejudices
will likely creep into this method.
3. It is not easy to select a sample which is perfecting representing the universe on many
situations.
4. If information is required for every unit, a sampling technique cannot be used.
Size of Sampling: The size of the sample plays an important role in sampling. According to
Parten, “An optimum sample in the survey fulfills the requirements of efficiency,
representativeness, reliability, and flexibility.” Hence the sample must be small enough to avoid
unnecessary expenditure and large enough to avoid sample error.
