Sampling

Sr.Lecturer
C.P.Rashmi

Definition and need of Sampling

A sample is a small proportion of population
selected for observation and analysis. By
observation the characteristics of the sample,
one can make certain inferences about the
characteristics of the population from which it is
drawn. Contrary to some popular opinions
samples are not selected haphazardly. They are
chosen in a systematic random way, so that
chance or the operation of the probability can be
utilized.

 Sampling is a process of selecting a few ( a

sample) from a bigger group (the sampling
population) to become the basis for estimating
or predicting the prevalence of an unknown
piece of information, situation or outcome
regarding the bigger group a sample is the
subgroup of the population you are interested in.
Sampling has its own advantages and
disadvantages. Advantage is that it saves time
as well as human resources. However, the
disadvantage is that you do not find out the
information about the populations
characteristics of interest to you but only
estimate or predict them. Hence, the possibility
of any error in your estimate exists.

Concept of population
A population can be defined as including all people or
items with the characteristic one wishes to understand.
Because there is very rarely enough time or money to
gather information from everyone or everything in a
population, the goal becomes finding a representative
sample (or subset) of that population.
Note also that the population from which the sample is
drawn may not be the same as the population about
which we actually want information. Ex- for instance, we
might study rats in order to get a better understanding of
human health, or we might study records from people
born in 2008 in order to make predictions about people
born in 2009.

Samples and its characteristics

A sample is a finite part of a statistical population
whose properties are studied to gain information
about the whole (Webster, 1985). When dealing
with people, it can be defined as a set of
respondents (people) selected from a larger
population for the purpose of a survey.
A population is a group of individuals persons,
objects, or items from which samples are taken
for measurement for example a population of
presidents or professors, books or students.

 What is sampling?
Sampling is the act, process, or
technique of selecting a suitable
sample, or a representative part of
a population for the purpose of
determining parameters or
characteristics of the whole
population.

 What is the purpose of sampling?

To draw conclusions about populations from
samples, we must use inferential statistics which
enables us to determine a population`s
characteristics by directly observing only a portion
(or sample) of the population. We obtain a sample
rather than a complete enumeration (a census ) of
the population for many reasons. Obviously, it is
cheaper to observe a part rather than the whole, but
we should prepare ourselves to cope with the
dangers of using samples. In this tutorial, we will
investigate various kinds of sampling procedures.
Some are better than others but all may yield
samples that are inaccurate and unreliable. We will
learn how to minimize these dangers, but some
potential error is the price we must pay for the
convenience and savings the samples provide.

 In sampling, we assume that samples are

drawn from the population and sample
means and population means are equal. A
population can be defined as a whole that
includes all items and characteristics of
the research taken into study. However,
gathering all this information is time
consuming and costly. We therefore make
inferences about the population with the
help of samples.

Sample size and sample unit

Before deciding how large a sample should be,
you have to define your study population .
Sample size can be determined by various
constraints.
For example, the available funding may
prespecify the sample size. When research
costs are fixed, a useful rule of thumb is to spent
about one half of the total amount for data
collection and the other half for data analysis.
This constraint influences the sample size as
well as sample design and data collection
procedures.

 sample size depends on the nature of the

analysis to be performed, the desired
precision of the estimates one wishes to
achieve, the kind and number of
comparisons that will be made, the
number of variables that have to be
examined simultaneously and how
heterogeneous a universe is sampled.
In non-experimental research, most often,
relevant variables have to be controlled
statistically because groups differ by
factors other than chance.

 Deciding on a sample size for qualitative inquiry can be

even more difficult than quantitative because there are
no definite rules to be followed.
It will depend on what you want to know, the purpose of
the inquiry, what is at stake, what will be usefull, what will
have credibility and what can be done with available time
and resources.
With fixed resources which is always the case, you can
choose to study one specific phenomenon in depth with
a smaller sample size or a bigger sample size when
seeking breadth.
In purposeful sampling, the sample should be judged on
the basis of the purpose and rationale for each study and
the sampling strategy used to achieve the studies
purpose. The validity, meangfulness, and insights
generated from qualitative inquiry have more to do with
the information-richness of the cases selected and the
observational/analytical capabilities of the researcher
than with sample size.

Census and sample survey

All items in any field of inquiry constitute a
Universe or population.
A complete enumeration of all items in the
population is known as a census inquiry.
It can be presumed that in such an
inquiry, when all items are covered, no
elements of chance is left and highest
accuracy is obtained.

 Even a slightest element of bias in such an inquiry will

get larger and larger as the number of observation
increase.
This type of enquiry involves a great deal of time, money
and energy.
It is beyond the reach of ordinary researchers.
(only govt organization do so)
The selected respondents constitute what is technically
called sample and the selection process is called
sampling technique. The survey so conducted is known
as sample survey. Algebraically, let the population size
be N and if a part of size n (which is < N) of this
population is selected according to some rules for
studying some characteristics of the population, the
group consisting of these n units is known as sample.
Researcher must prepare a sample design for his study
i.e., he must plan how a sample should and of what size
such a sample would be.

Steps in a sample design

i.

ii.
iii.

Type of universe: The universe can be finite or

infinite. In finite universe the number of items is
certain, but in case of an infinite universe the number
of items is infinite.
Sampling unit: It may be geographical one such as
state, district, village, etc, it may be a social unit such
as family or it may be an individual.
Source list: It is also known as sampling frame from
which sample is to be drawn. It contains the names of
all items of a universe. If the list is not available the
researcher has to prepare it. It is extremely important
for the source list to be as representative of the
population as possible.

iv.

Size of sample: The number of items to be selected

from the universe to constitute a sample. An optimum
sample is one which fulfills the requirements of
efficiency, representativeness, reliability and flexibility.
The size of the population variance needs to be
considered as in case of larger variance usually a
bigger sample is needed. Budgetary constraints must
invariably be taken in consideration when we decide
the sample size.
v. Parameters of interest: in determining the sample
design, one must consider the question of the specific
population parameters which are of interest.
vi. Budgetary constraint: Cost consideration, from
practical point of view, have a major impact upon
decision relating to not only the size of the sample but
also to the type of sample
vii. Sampling procedure: the type of sample to be used is
decided. Techniques to be used in selecting the items
for the sample. Researcher should choose appropriate
sample design.

Criteria for selecting a sampling

procedure.

Inappropriate sampling frame: if the sampling frame is

inappropriate i.e., a biased representation of the
universe, it will result in a systematic bias.
Defective measuring device: if the measuring device is
constantly in error, it will result in systematic bias. In
survey work, systematic bias can result if the
questionnaire or the interview is biased. Similarly, if the
physical measuring device is defective there will be
systematic bias in the data collected through such a
measuring device.
Non-respondents: if we are unable to sample all the
individuals initially included in the sample, there may
arise a systematic bias. The reason is that in such a
situation the likelihood of establishing contact or
receiving a response from an individual if often
correlated with the measure of what is to be estimated.

 Indeterminacy principle: sometimes we find

that individual act differently when kept under
observation than what they do when kept in nonobservation situation. thus, the indeterminacy
principle may also be cause of a systematic
bias.
Natural bias in the report of data: natural bias
of respondent in the reporting of data is often the
cause of a systematic bias in many inquiries.
Generally in psychological surveys, people tend
to give what they think is the correct answer
rather than revealing their true feelings