STAT 335 – SAMPLE SURVEY METHODS

EXERCISE 1

1. (i) Give a brief description of cluster sampling, with one example to illustrate your
answer
(ii) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this sampling technique
2. What is stratified random sampling? Under what conditions will stratified sampling
be preferred to simple random sampling? Give two situations when stratified
random sampling may be used
3. State briefly three advantages of sampling over complete enumeration
4. Define systematic sampling. Give two advantages and two disadvantages of
systematic sampling.
5. Explain what is meant by;
i. Sampling error
ii. Pilot survey
iii. Stratification variable
iv. Cluster sampling
6. Give one example of each of the following surveys conducted by the Ghana
Statistical Service
i. Single subject national sample survey.
What was the subject under investigation?
ii. Multi-subject national sample survey.
List the topics that were investigated.
7. Give one example of a national sample survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical
Service where the unit(s) of enquiry was/were
i. a household;
ii. a community;
iii. an individual;

What type of information was collected from each unit?

8. Give one example of a national sample survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical
Service where the mode of enquiry was
i. Single round;
ii. Multi-round
How many rounds were involved and over what period of time.
9. In the context of statistical enquiry, explain what is meant by
i. Target population
ii. Sample
iii. Sampling frame
iv. Random sampling
10. A sample of households is to be selected from a town to determine the type(s) of
fuel used for cooking by households. The town has several suburbs. The
infrastructure in the suburbs as well as the types and quality of households vary
considerably; as does the socio-economic status of the residents.
a. In the situation described above, what are the factors or conditions that you
would consider in deciding on an appropriate sampling procedure?
b. Given that the sampling frame of all households is available, what sampling
procedure will you recommend and why?
c. Now suppose there is no sampling frame of households but a list of all
dwelling units (houses) in the town is available, how would you obtain your
sample?
11. In the study of the nutritional status of primary school children in Ghana, a nationally
representative sample is required. For each child in the sample, data is to be
collected on;
Age, Weight, and Height
i. Discuss the difficulties you anticipate in collecting these data by a Simple
Random Sampling of all school children
ii. Give an outline of the sampling procedure you would recommend, stating
your reasons.
12. a. Distinguish between a longitudinal and a single round retrospective survey.
b. A study is to be conducted to determine whether the physiological and genetic
characteristics of persons suffering from a rare disease, provide some indication of
the cause of the disease, and how long such persons live after diagnosis (and
treatment) before they die.
Select any one disease for which this description may apply. Discuss in as much
detail as you can, how the investigation may be conducted.
13. List the activities that should precede actual field work in a major sample survey.
14. List the major post enumeration activities.
15. Compare strata in stratified sampling with clusters in cluster sampling. Give an
example of a practical situation in which you would consider adopting
i. stratified sampling
ii. cluster sampling
Give reasons in each case.
16. List the main topics that you will include in a general report of a major sample
survey.
17. What are the advantages of using systematic sampling over simple random
sampling?
18. Define Simple Random Sampling. What are the advantages of simple random
sampling?
19. Write a short note on Quota sampling.
20. What is a sampling frame? What is its use in sample survey?
21. Explain the relevance of population censuses to national sample surveys in any
country of your choice.
22. Explain what is meant by probability sampling.
Describe two sampling procedures that are not probability sampling.
23. A survey is to be carried out in a district to study the household
consumption/expenditure patterns of the residents. The district is made up of 18
villages which lie on the periphery of a lake. Communication between villages is by
footpath or by boat across the lake. The total distance round the lake is 40km. A first
class road links one of the villages with other districts in the region. It is required to
take a sample of households to be interviewed by field workers,
a. Discuss any difficulties you anticipate from the use of simple random
sampling of households.
b. Give an outline of the sampling procedure you would recommend and state
your reasons.
24. What do you understand by random and non-random sampling? Why is the latter
method hardly used in large scale surveys?
25. Explain the role of pre-tests in the organisation of large scale sample surveys.
26. A survey is a solution to many of the problems of a census. Explain the above in the
context of a sample survey.
27. Define the following terms as used in sample survey methods:
i. Probability sampling
ii. Simple random sampling
iii. Purposive sampling
iv. Snowball sampling
28. Differentiate between sampling and non-sampling errors. Give an example each of
each source of error.