Sampling a Population
Sampling…
The process of selecting a number of individuals for a
study in such a way that the individuals represent the
larger group from which they were selected
Sample…
Sample
…the representatives selected for a study whose
characteristics exemplify the larger group from which
they were selected
Population…
Population
…the larger group from which individuals are selected to
participate in a study
The purpose for sampling…
To gather data about the population in
order to make an inference that can be
generalized to the population
The sampling process…
POPULATION (N)
INFERENCE
IS THE SAMPLE
SAMPLE (n)
REPRESENTATIVE?
Sampling Process...
1. Define population (N) to be sampled
2. Determine sample size (n)
3. Select sample
1. Define population to be sampled...
(Identifying a suitable sampling frame)
Identify the group of interest and its
characteristics to which the findings of
the study will be generalized
…called the “target”
target population
…oftentimes the “accessible”
accessible or
“available”
available population must be
used
2. Deciding on a suitable sample size...
The size of the sample influences both
the representativeness of the sample
and the statistical analysis of the data
…larger samples are more likely
to detect a difference between
different groups
…smaller samples are more likely
not to be representative
Rules of thumb for determining the sample size...
1. The larger the population size, the smaller the percentage
of the population required to get a representative sample
2. For smaller samples (N ‹ 100), there is little point in
sampling. Survey the entire population.
3. If the population size is around 500 (give or take 100),
50% should be sampled.
4. If the population size is around 1500, 20% should be
sampled.
5. Beyond a certain point (N = 5000), the population size is
almost irrelevant and a sample size of 400 may be
adequate.
3. Select the sample...
(Estimating response rate and actual sample size)
Total number of responses
Response Rate = Total no. of sample-(ineligible + unreachable)
Sample size= n 100
re%
(Response rate will be higher if sample is good representative )
Approaches to quantitative sampling...
1. Random (“Probability”):
(“Probability”) allows a procedure governed
by chance to select the sample; controls for sampling
bias
(to arrive at conclusions and to make predictions affecting the
population)
2. Nonrandom (“non-probability”): does not have
random sampling at any state of the sample
selection; increases probability of sampling bias
(Research purpose is directed towards evaluating how a small
group is doing for the purpose of explanation or case study,
like: “Which attributes attract people to join job”)
Random sampling methods...
(Probability Sampling)
1. Simple random sampling
2. Stratified sampling
3. Cluster sampling
4. Systematic sampling
Simple random sampling:
sampling the process of selecting a
sample that allows individual in the defined population
to have an equal and independent chance of being
selected for the sample
Steps in random sampling...
1. Number each of the cases in your sampling frame
with a unique number. The first case is numbered 0,
the second 1 and so on.
2. Select cases using random numbers until your actual
sample size is reached.
advantages…
advantages
…easy to conduct
…strategy requires minimum knowledge of the
population to be sampled
disadvantages…
disadvantages
…need names of all population members
…may over- represent or under- estimate sample
members
…there is difficulty in reaching all selected in the sample
Systematic sampling:
sampling the process of selecting
individuals within the defined population from a
list by taking every Kth name.
Steps in systematic sampling...
1. Obtain a list of the population.
2. Determine what K is equal to by dividing the size of
the population by the desired sample size.
3. Start at some random place in the population list.
4. Starting at that point, take every Kth name on the
list until the desired sample size is reached.
5. If the end of the list is reached before the desired
sample is reached, go back to the top of the list.
advantages…
advantages
…sample selection is simple
disadvantages…
disadvantages
…all members of the population do not have an equal
chance of being selected
…the Kth person may be related to a periodical order in
the population list, producing unrepresentativeness
in the sample
Stratified sampling:
sampling It is a modification of random
sampling in which you divide the population into two or
more relevant and significant strata based on one or a
number of attributes.
Steps in stratified sampling...
1. Choose the stratification variable or variables.
2. Divide the sampling frame into the discrete strata.
3. Number each of the cases within each stratum with
a unique number.
4. Select your sample using either simple random or
systematic sampling.
It can be used….
when population consist of a number of
heterogeneous sub-population
and elements within a given subpopulation
are relatively homogenous.
advantages…
advantages
…more precise sample
…can be used for both proportions and stratification
sampling
…sample represents the desired strata
disadvantages…
disadvantages
…need names of all population members
…there is difficulty in reaching all selected in the sample
…researcher must have names of all populations
Cluster sampling:
sampling method in which the population is divided
into groups, any of which can be considered a representative
Sample
Steps in cluster sampling...
1. Identify and define a logical cluster.
2. List all clusters (or obtain a list) that make up the
population of clusters.
3. Estimate the average number of population members per
cluster.
5. Determine the number of clusters needed by dividing the
sample size by the estimated size of a cluster.
6. Randomly select the needed number of clusters
7. Include in your study all population members in each
selected cluster.
advantages…
advantages
…efficient
…researcher doesn’t need names of all population
members
…reduces travel to site
…useful for educational research
disadvantages…
disadvantages
…fewer sampling points make it less like that the sample
is representative
Nonrandom sampling methods...
1. Convenience sampling
2. Purposive sampling
3. Quota sampling
4. Snowball sampling
1. Convenience sampling:
sampling the process
of including whoever happens to be
available at the time
…called “accidental” or “haphazard”
sampling
disadvantages…
disadvantages
…difficulty in determining how much of
the effect (dependent variable) results
from the cause (independent variable)
2. Purposive sampling:
sampling the process
whereby the researcher selects a
sample based on experience or
knowledge of the group to be sampled
…called “judgment” sampling
disadvantages…
disadvantages
…potential for inaccuracy in the
researcher’s criteria and resulting
sample selections
3. Quota sampling:
sampling the process whereby
a researcher gathers data from
individuals possessing identified
characteristics and quotas
disadvantages…
disadvantages
…people who are less accessible (more
difficult to contact, more reluctant to
participate) are under-represented
4. Snowball sampling
It is commonly used when it is difficult to identify
members of the desired population, for example
people who are working while claiming
unemployment benefit.
•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 is manageable.
Mistakes to be conscious of...
1. Sampling error
2. Sampling bias
…which threaten to render a study’s
findings invalid
Sampling error…
error
…the chance and random variation in
variables that occurs when any sample
is selected from the population
…sampling error is to be expected
…to avoid sampling error, a census of
the entire population must be taken
…to control for sampling error,
researchers use various sampling
methods
Sampling bias…
bias
…nonrandom differences, generally the
fault of the researcher, which cause the
sample is over-represent individuals or
groups within the population and
which lead to invalid findings
…sources of sampling bias include the
use of volunteers and available groups
