Random Sampling

and Sampling
Methods
Ricky Singh 13/0939/2052
Gary Westford 14/0939/2054
Christopher Blackman 13/0939/2477
Geetendra Singh 13/0939/2428
Dustin Roache 14/0939/2115

Outline of Presentation
Objective
Definition of Key Terms
Introduction
Sampling
Reasons for Sampling
Forms of Sampling
Random Sampling and Sampling Methods
Other Sampling Methods
Errors of Sampling
Reasons for Sampling Errors
Summary
Conclusion
References

Objective
By the end of this lesson, students should
be able to:
Identify and describe different Sampling
Methods
Apply the different methods to any given
situation

Definition of Key Terms

Population (N) the total set of observations to be
made or the larger set of objects to be studied.
e.g. a stockpile of aggregates
Sample (n) a set of observations drawn from a
population or a set of representative objects we
choose in order to estimate the characteristics of
the larger set of objects.
e.g. the portion of the stockpile that passes through
the No. 4 Sieve.

 Parameter a measurable characteristic of

a population, such as a mean or standard
deviation
Statistic a measurable characteristic of a
sample, such as a mean or standard
deviation.
Random Number a number determined
totally by chance, with no predictable
relationship to any other number

 Sampling Unit the potential member of a

sample i.e. the subject under observation
on which information is collected.
Sampling Frame the set of sampling units
from which the sample will be drawn i.e.
the list of all the sampling units from which
the sample is drawn.

Summary of Sampling
Terms

Populatio
n

Sampl
e

Samplin
g
Unit

Introduction
In conducting a research, it is important that a
sample of subjects:
Can be studied at an acceptable cost in time and
money
Is large enough to control random error in
generalizing the study findings to the population
Is representative enough to control systematic
error in these inferences.

Sampling
Sampling is the process of selecting a small
number of elements from a larger defined
group of elements such that the
information gathered from the small group
will allow judgments to be made about the
larger group.

Reasons for Sampling

Sampling is done to obtain information from
large populations with:
Reduced field time
Reduced costs
Increased accuracy with enhanced
methods

Reasons for Sampling

Sampling error could be estimated
Sometimes studying the whole population
is impossible

Forms of Sampling
There are two main forms of sampling:
Probability Sampling uses a random
process to guarantee that each unit of the
population has a specified chance of
selection.
Non-probability Sampling a sampling
method in which the probability that a unit
is selected is unknown i.e. the total
population number or denominator is

Random Sampling and

Sampling Methods
Random Sampling is a type of Probability
Sampling
It is a method of randomly selecting
sample(s) of data to help solve a problem
on the whole data.
In this method, each member of the
population has an equal chance of being
selected.

Random Sampling Methods

There are five (5) different Random Sampling Methods:
Simple Random Sampling
Stratified Random Sampling
Cluster Sampling
Systematic Sampling
Multi-Stage Sampling

Simple Random Sampling

Simple Random Sampling has the following
properties:
The population consists of N objects
The sample consists of n objects
All possible samples of n objects are equally likely to
occur

This method is best suited where not much

information is available about the population,
the population is widely dispersed and less
emphasis is placed on efficiency.

Simple Random Sampling

Contd
This technique can be conducted using the
lottery method.
However, it is recommended that a table of
random numbers or a computer generated
list of random numbers be used.

Simple Random Sampling

Contd
1

18

15

10

22

11

24

20

17

21

13

19

12

25

14

23

16

A Random Numbers Table

Simple Random Sampling

Contd

Table 1: Correct Method of Using A Random Numbers Table

Table 2: Incorrect Method of Using A Random Numbers

Table

Types of Simple Random Sampling

There are two (2) types of Simple Random
Sampling:
Replacement Sampling a sample unit is
selected and then replaced before the next
sample is selected.
Non-replacement Sampling the sample
unit is not replaced after it has been
selected.

Procedure for Simple Random

Sampling
Determine sample size, n.

Select sample units either by the lottery

method or the table of random numbers.
Determine the type of simple random
sampling.
Calculate the probability

Example Replacement Sampling

A surveyor is conducting an audit of the
accuracy of all the theodolites, within his
warehouse, used to conduct surveys within the
last month.
He randomly selects ten (10) theodolites (n) out
of the total one hundred (100) theodolites (N) to
be tested for correct calibration.
The first theodolite is selected and its calibration
crossed checked and replaced.

Example Replacement Sampling

Contd
The probability, P1, of randomly selecting
the first theodolite is 1/10.
When the theodolite is returned to the
sampling frame and another theodolite is
drawn, the probability P2 of selecting the
second theodolite will also be 1/10 since the
number of theodolite in the sampling frame
is 10 due the first theodolite which was
tested being replaced. P1=P2.

Example Non-Replacement
Sampling
In non-replacement sampling, each
theodolite will not be returned to the
sampling unit after being tested.
Therefore, P1 = 1/10
Hence, the second theodolite will have a
probability P2 = 1/9 and P1 is not equal to
P2

Simple Random Sampling

Summary

Two types Replacement Sampling and Non-Replacement

Sampling.
Probability calculation:
Replacement: Pr =
Non-Replacement: Pr =
Where Pr is the probability for a given turn
n is the sample number
r is the turn number

Stratified Random Sampling

The population consists of N elements
The population is divided into H groups,
called strata
Each element of the population can be
assigned to one, and only one, stratum.

Stratified Random
Sampling Contd
Within each strata, a probability sample
is selected (often a simple random
sample).
The ratio of each stratum sample size
to the total sample size must be the
same as that of its stratum size to the
population size.

Example Stratified Random

Sampling

The Public Relations Department of the

GWI would like to survey its customers to
obtain the opinions of the residents of the
quality of the service being provided.
It is decided that 90 residents from the
twelve (12) District Meter Areas (DMA) in
Georgetown will be interviewed, of which 8
have Water Treatment Plants and 4 are
without.

Example Stratified Random Sampling

The PR Officer must first calculate the numbers of residents
of each type of DMA he should interview.
Therefore, the selection process is as follows:
Residents of the Water Treated Areas:
8 x 90 = 60
12
Residents of the Areas not treated:
4 x 90 = 30
12

Advantages of Stratified
Random Sampling
Provides greater precision
It requires a smaller sample, which saves
money
Guards against an unrepresentative
sample.
Can support a separate analysis of any
subgroup.

Disadvantage of Stratified
Random Sampling
It may require more administrative effort
than a simple random sample.

Cluster Sampling
The population is divided into N groups,
called clusters.
The researcher randomly selects n clusters
to include in the sample.
Each element of the population can be
assigned to one, and only one, cluster.

Cluster Sampling
Very useful when the population is widely
dispersed and it is impractical or costly to
list and sample from all of its elements

Example Cluster Sampling

A geologist, having collected a total of 600
soil samples, would like to revise his
sampling methods for the possibility of
contamination.
His first step would be to divide the samples
into clusters. In this case, he can divide
them according to the Mining Districts.
He must then randomly select clusters to
sample from.

Example Cluster Sampling

Contd
Having selected his clusters, he can then
use the soil samples within these clusters
to conduct his exercise.

Advantages of Cluster
Sampling
Cheap, easy to access data

Instead of having a sample scattered over

the entire coverage area, the sample is
more localized in relatively few clusters

Disadvantage of Cluster
Sampling
Generally provides less precision

Important Note
Although strata and clusters are very similar,
they differ in the following ways:
All strata are represented in the sample; but
only a subset of clusters are in the sample.
With stratified sampling, it is recommended
that strata are internally homogenous
Custer Sampling yields the best results when
clusters are internally heterogeneous

Systematic Sampling
This method is appropriate for very large
populations and gives a evenly spread
across the population.
The population is listed/arranged according
to some ordering scheme and then
selecting elements at regular intervals
through that ordered list.

Systematic Sampling
Systematic sampling involves a random
start and then proceeds with the selection
of every nth (interval) element from then
onwards.

Systematic Sampling
Contd
N = size of population/size of sampling.
It is important that the starting point is not
automatically the first on the list but a
random element between the first and the
nth element on the list.
This method is different from simple random
sampling since every possible sample of the
nth elements is not equally likely.

Example Systematic
Sampling
A Mechanical Consultant Agency was hired
to inspect the 10,000 caterpillar gasoline
engines owned by MACORP Inc. If a
systematic sample of 500 caterpillar
gasoline engines were to be used to
conduct the survey.

All engines would be assigned sequential

numbers.

Example Systematic
Sampling
The sampling interval (n) would be:
n = Population size / Sample
size
n = 10,000/500 = 20

Note: that if n is not a whole number, it

should be rounded to one.

Example Systematic
Sampling
The starting point would be chosen by
selecting a random number between one
(1) and twenty (20). If this number was 7,
then the 7th engine on the list of engines
would be selected along with every 20th
engine.
The sample of engines would be those
corresponding to the engine numbers 7,
27, 47, .9927, 9947, 9967, and 9987.

Advantages of Systematic
Sampling
Easy to draw members of the sample
Distributes the sample more evenly over
the population

Disadvantages of
Systematic Sampling
May give a biased sample

A list may be needed to begin with if you

wish to calculate the sample size and
sample interval.

Multi-Stage Sampling
This is a combination of two or more of the four (4)
previous methods.
It is useful in very large research studies such as
nationwide studies.
Multi-stage sampling, like cluster sampling, involves
selecting a sample within each chosen cluster,
rather than including all units in the cluster.
Therefore, multi-stage sampling can have at least
two stages.

Procedure in Multi-Stage
Sampling
The first stage of multi-stage sampling is
the construction of clusters.
The second stage is deciding what
desirous elements with in the cluster is
being analyze.
This selection of characteristics of
elements within subsets of subsets is done
until the final characteristic is
achieved.

Diagram

Example Multi-Stage
Sampling
In conducting multi-stage sampling, a total
of 2,000 transformers can be divided into
clusters according to their locations e.g.
West Coast Demerara, East Coast
Demerara, East Bank Demerara, etc.
Secondly, the clusters can then be further
divided according to the various villages
the transformers are located in.

Example Multi-Stage Sampling

Contd
The third stage includes analyzing based
on their use e.g. residential, commercial,
industrial, etc.
And, fourthly, individual houses,
businesses and factories are selected
from within the selected villages. This
selection can continue until the desirous
characteristic is achieved.

Advantages of Multi-stage
Sampling
Does not require a complete list of
members in the target population

Disadvantages of Multistage Sampling

Lower accuracy due to higher sampling
error

Non-probability Methods of
Sampling:
Quota Sampling
Convenience Sampling

Quota Sampling
Quota sampling is widely used in market
research where the population is divided
into groups in terms of sex, age, income
etc. The interviewer is told how many
persons to interview within each specific
group, but is given no specific instruction
about how to locate them. This method is
used in street interview surveys.

Convenience Sampling
Convenience sampling does not produce
a representative sample of the
population because people or items are
only selected for a sample if they can be
accessed easily and conveniently.
Example:
The first ten bench marks.
The closest dredges to the Mining Station

Errors in Sampling
Sampling error is any type of bias that is
attributable to mistakes in either drawing
a sample or determining the sample size.
Sampling Error is the difference between
a sample mean (or proportion) and the
population mean (or proportion).

Reasons for Sampling

Errors
Different samples drawn from the same
population can have different properties.
When you take a sample from a
population, you only have a subset of the
population, i.e. a piece of what youre
trying to understand.

Summary
Sampling

Nonprobability
Sampling

Probability
Sampling

Simple
Random
Sampling

Replaceme
nt
Sampling

Stratified
Random
Sampling

Nonreplaceme
nt
Sampling

Cluster
Sampling

Systematic
Sampling

Multi-stage
Sampling

Quota
Sampling

Convenien
ce
Sampling

Conclusion
From the presentation it can be
concluded that sampling methods are
very useful in statistical studies and gives
fairly accurate results on the related
study while being both time and cost
efficient.

References

Wikipedia. Sampling (Statistics). 2009. Retrieved on February 1st,

2015.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_(statistics)>.

Answers.com. Sampling. 2009. Retrieved on February 3,2015.

<http://www.answers.com/topic/sampling>.

http://stattrek.com/Lesson6/SRS.aspx - Retrieved February 2, 2015.

http://stattrek.com/Lesson6/STR.aspx - Retrieved February 2, 2011.

http://stattrek.com/Lesson3/SamplingTheory.aspx - Retrieved
February 3, 2015.

http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/tutorial/Mugo/tutorial.htm
-Retrieved February 1, 2015

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