Types of sampling

Probability Nonprobability
Sampling Sampling
2. Purposive sampling

Involves the choice of subjects who are best positions to

provide the information required.
Example: If someone want to know about the available
infrastructure for research in India, then selection of the samples
must be those who are aware of this issue.
 Types of sampling

Probability Nonprobability
Sampling Sampling
1. Quota sampling
Advantages:
1. Quota Sampling is an economic process. It saves time and money both at
the same time by giving us important information about how many samples
of each group we need to collect
2. The extra information speeds up the sampling process
3. We can get a high level of accuracy because quota sampling is scientific with
a well defined process
Disadvantages:
1. Since quota sampling is a non-random sampling method, it is impossible to
find the sampling error.
2. There is always a chance of sampling bias as well, since the surveyor can
choose to ignore certain important characteristics for ease of access and
cost-saving.
For example, if we are selecting colour preferences based on age group, if the
surveyor chooses samples from arts colleges only, though it satisfied the quota
based on the proportion of age, the survey might be biased because the color
choice might have been affected by academic background as well.
 Types of sampling

Probability Nonprobability
Sampling Sampling
4. Snowball sampling

Example: Meeting a homeless person, interviewing that person, and then asking
him/her to introduce you to other homeless people you might interview.
Technique Descriptions Advantages
Simple random Random sample Highly
from whole representative if all
population subjects participate;
the ideal
Stratified Random sample Can ensure that
random from identifiable specific groups are
groups (strata), represented, even
subgroups, etc. proportionally, in
the sample(s) (e.g.,
by gender), by
selecting individuals
from strata list
Disadvantages
Not possible without complete
list of population members;
potentially uneconomical to
achieve; can be disruptive to
isolate members from a group;
time-scale may be too long,
data/sample could change
More complex, requires greater
effort than simple random; strata
must be carefully defined
Technique Descriptions Advantages Disadvantages
Cluster Random samples of Possible to select Clusters in a level
successive clusters of randomly when no singlemust be equivalent
subjects (e.g., by list of population and some natural
institution) until small members exists, but local
ones are not for
groups are chosen as lists do; data collected on
essential
units groups may avoid characteristics (e.g.,
introduction of geographic: numbers
confounding by isolating
equal, but
members unemployment rates
differ)
Stage Combination of Can make up probability Complex, combines
cluster (randomly sample by random at limitations of cluster
selecting clusters) and stages and within groups; and stratified
random or stratified possible to select random random sampling
random sampling of sample when population
individuals lists are very localized
 Technique Descriptions Advantages Disadvantages
Purposive Hand-pick subjects Ensures balance of Samples are not easily
on the basis of group sizes when defensible as being
specific multiple groups are representative of
characteristics to be selected populations due to
potential subjectivity
of researcher
Quota Select individuals as Ensures selection of Not possible to prove
they come to fill a adequate numbers of that the sample is
quota by subjects with representative of
characteristics appropriate designated
proportional to characteristics population
populations
 Technique Descriptions Advantages Disadvantage
s
Snowball Subjects with Possible to include No way of
desired traits or members of knowing whether
characteristics give groups where no the sample is
names of further lists or identifiable representative of
appropriate clusters even exist the population
subjects (e.g., drug abusers,
criminals)
Volunteer, Either asking for Inexpensive way Can be highly
accidental, volunteers, or the of ensuring unrepresentative
convenience consequence of sufficient numbers
not all those of a study
selected finally
participating, or a
set of subjects
who just happen to
be available
CASE STUDY 1
Examples for Simple Science Research

What happens to seeds if they are kept at

different temperatures and soil types before
they are planted?
Identify the problem – Problem statement
“What happens to seeds if they are kept at different
temperatures and soil types before they are planted?"

Research Question
Your research question is what you
hope to figure out. It is your "what if"
question. Should be able to write the
research question in a simple sentence.
 Theory, assumptions, background literature

• Study previous research findings

• Study the factors that effect the spouting of seeds

Literature Search
•Books
•Magazines
•Journals
•Internet
 Variables and hypotheses
"higher temperatures will make seeds sprout faster.”
“sandy soil will make seeds sprout faster”.

Hypothesis
The hypothesis is what you expect to
happen in your experiment.

Variables
Temperature, Height, soil type
 Operational definitions and measurement
Plan the experiment
1. What are the seed / seeds that I am going take ?
2. Where am I going to conduct the experiment ?
3. What is the variable I am going to measure ?
4. How am I going to measure the variable ?
5. What is the sample size ? How many seeds I will test at each
temperature?
6. How long will my experiment take?

The procedure is the plan for how you will conduct your
experiment.
 Research design and methodology
1. I am going to conduct the experiment for three types of seeds
Seed A, Seed B, Seed C (fast growing variable)
2. I am going to conduct the experiment at my home garden
3. I keep each group of seeds (10 seeds from each group) at constant
temperatures (40 C, 50 C, 60 ) in an oven for the same amount of time
(10 minutes) before spout. Then measure the height of the plant with
the time.
4. Three types of soils (clay, silt, and sand) are used for each types of seeds.
My control experiment is seeds which kept at room temperature.
Instrumentation, sampling – collection of
data

Instruments
1. Thermometer
2. Crescograph/Auxanometer

Variables
1. Independent – Temperature
2. Dependent – Height
3. Soil types
All other conditions variables should be constant e.g : Soil conditions,
environment conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity, light)
 Data analysis
Analyze the results statistically, draw graphs and
then test your hypothesis is correct or not.

Inference and overall conclusion

Limitation of the study