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sampling and sampling distribtion

The objectives of this session

At the end of the session student should be able to :

1. define the terms related to this topic

2. Understand why sampling is carried out and the techniques of sampling

3. Be able to Attempt various questions concerning this course.

Terms in this session

1. Population- This is the total number of individuals/set of items from which data are drawn from for
statistical study. In other words we can say it is all object of interest

2. Parameters - These are measures obtained from a population. Such as the population mean(μ), the
population standard deviation (σ), population variance (σ²) , population proportion (p) and so on.. they are
denoted by lower Greek letters.

3. Sample- This is the subgroup or subset of the population drawn out of population to be studied.

4. Sampling - is the process of selecting data to be used to make inferences or decisions about the
population.

5. Sampling frame - These are the data range used to make a sample.

5. Sampling techniques - These are the methods used in making sampling.

6. Statistic - These are the measures obtained from a sample. Such as sample mean (x̄), sample standard
deviation (s), sample variance (s²), sample proportion (p̂) . They are always denoted by Roman letters.

7. Sampling distribution- This is the distribution of values of a sample statistic, like a mean or
proportion, that might be observed when samples of a fixed size are taken. The possible sample statistic
will be distributed around the true value of the population parameter.

8. Population Proportion (p): A part of a population with a particular attribute, expressed as a fraction,
decimal or percentage of the whole population.

9. Sample Proportion (p̂): this is given by x/n Where x denotes the number of successes and n denoted
the number of sample. Just like the way population proportion was explained in 8 above. But in this case
we are dealing with sample.

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10. Point Estimator: these are functions used in finding an approximate value of the population
parameters.

SAMPLING AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

This is the process of selecting data to be used to make inferences or decisions about the population.

It is very difficult most times to use the whole population in making decisions , making a sample has
made the process easy.

Sampling techniques

These are the methods used in making sampling. There are two main methods of sampling: Probability
sampling and non-probability sampling.

1. Probability sampling- Here the respondents are randomly selected to take part in a survey or other
mode of research. For a sample to qualify as a probability sample, each person in a population must have
an equal chance of being selected for a study, and the researcher must know the probability that an
individual will be selected. Probability sampling is the most common form of sampling for public opinion
studies, election polling, and other studies in which results will be applied to a wider population. This is
the case whether or not the wider population is very large, such as the population of an entire country, or
small, such as young females living in a specific town.

We have some subdivision of this probability sampling.

a. Simple Random Sampling - is a subset of a statistical population in which each member of the subset
has an equal probability of being chosen. A simple random sample is meant to be an unbiased
representation of a group.

b. Stratified Random Sampling- is a method of sampling that involves the division of a population into
smaller subgroups known as strata. The strata is formed through grouping of members into groups that
possesses homegenous characteristics then a simple random sample is then performed after.

c. Systematic Sampling- This is a method in which sample members from a larger population are
selected according to a random starting point but with a fixed, periodic interval. This interval, called the
sampling interval, is calculated by dividing the population size by the desired sample size which is
denoted by "k" which is also known as the sampling interval.

d. Clustered Sampling- This is a method of sampling that involves the division of a population into
smaller subgroups known as Cluster. The cluster can be formed through creating a random heterogeneous
selection from the population then you randomly selects.

Additional note: multistage sampling, or multistage cluster sampling, you draw a sample from a
population using smaller and smaller groups (units) at each stage. It’s often used to collect data from a
large, geographically spread group of people in national surveys.

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2. Non-probability sampling- is when a sample is created through a non-random process. This could
include a researcher sending a survey link to their friends or stopping people on the street. This type of
sampling would also include any targeted research that intentionally samples from specific lists such as
aid beneficiaries, or participants in a specific training course.

We also have some subdivisions of non-Probability Sampling also

a. Convenience sampling- is a non-probability sampling method where units are selected for inclusion
in the sample because they are the easiest for the researcher to access.(it is based on the Accessibility of
the researcher)

b. Purposive sampling- this is where units are selected based on the researcher judgement or
information.or some attributes

c. Quota sampling- This is where units are selected based on dividing the population into
heterogenous/mutually exclusive subgroup (strata) and then continue to select until the limit is reached.

d. Snowball/Network Sampling- is a nonprobability sampling technique where existing study subjects

recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances. Thus the sample group is said to grow like a
rolling snowball. As the sample builds up, enough data are gathered to be useful for research. This
sampling technique is often used in hidden populations, such as drug users or sex workers, which are
difficult for researchers to access. As sample members are not selected from a sampling frame, snowball
samples are subject to numerous biases.

From the above we have been able to discuss the various methods of performing sampling although it is
not limited to the above.

Now, let's move to the next step,

Illustration

Using Nigeria as an example, a researcher wants to know the average number of rich people in
Nigeria. He thought of the fact that he cannot take experiment on the whole population to do his
testing. he decided to focus Only On Lagos, Enugu, Port-Harcot and Abia Only to make Conclusion
On the whole population.

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 fig. 1.1

The above diagram (fig.1.1) shows what the researcher can depict from the population,

He took a Sample on Lagos, Abia , Port-Harcot and Enugu , the process he undertakes here is what we
call sampling, from his sample he can draw out Sample statistic as listed in (fig.1.1) . Using this
measures he can be able to use them to make inferences on the whole population.

SAMPLING DISTRIBUTION

This is the distribution of values of a sample statistic, like a mean or proportion, that might be observed
when samples of a fixed size are taken. The possible sample statistic will be distributed around the true
value of the population parameter.

In other words, This is the probability distribution of a statistic that is obtained through repeated sampling
of a specific population.

SAMPLING DISTRIBUTION OF THE SAMPLE MEAN

It is the probability distribution of all possible values of the sample mean .

The sample mean is useful because it allows you to estimate what the whole population is doing, without
surveying everyone. Let’s say your sample mean for the food example was #2400 per year. The odds are,
you would get a very similar figure if you surveyed all 300 million people. So the sample mean is a way
of saving a lot of time and money.

Expected value of the (x̄) (the sample mean) is equal to the the population mean (μ)

mathematically : Σ(x̄) = μ

Which can also be gotten by Σfx/n

Standard deviation of the (x̄) / Standard error of the (x̄) denoted as σ subscript x̄

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 fig1.2.

From the above (fig 1.2) we have two formulas used in calculating the standard deviation or standard
error of the sample mean . The example given will also give you a well explained insight of what it entails.

SAMPLING DISTRIBUTION OF (p̂)

SAMPLING DISTRIBUTION of (p̂) is the probability distribution of all possible value of the sample
proportion (p̂).

The mean of all the possible value of the the sample proportion is equal to the population proportion (p)

the sample proportion of (p̂) is the point estimator of the population proportion (p)

Formula : p̂ = x/n

where x = the number of elements in the sample that possess the characteristic of interest and n = sample
size

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 fig1.3

Questions.

1. A parameter is:

Options:

a. a sample characteristic

b. a population characteristic

c. unknown

d. normal normally distributed

2. A statistic is:

Options:

a. a sample characteristic

b. a population characteristic

c.unknown

d.normally distributed

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3. A national random sample of 20 ACT scores from 2010 is listed below. Calculate the sample
mean and standard deviation. 29, 26, 13, 23, 23, 25, 17, 22, 17, 19, 12, 26, 30, 30, 18, 14, 12, 26, 17,
18

Options:

a.20.50, 5.79

b.20.50, 5.94

c.20.85, 5.79

d.20.85, 5.94

4.Select the order of sampling schemes from best to worst with regards to ease of implementation.

Options:

a.simple random, stratified, convenience

b. simple random, convenience, stratified

c.stratified, simple random, convenience

d.stratified, convenience, simple

5. A magazine printed a survey in its monthly issue and asked readers to fill it out and send it in.
Over 1000 readers did so. This type of sample is called •

Options:

a. a cluster sample.

b. a self-selected sample.

c. a stratified sample.

d. a simple random sample.

6. If proportion of population is 10.5 then proportion mean of sampling distribution is

Options:

a. 10.5 b. 12.5 c.15.5 d.18.5

7. If p is equal to 0.65, value of N is 25000 whereas sample size is 50 then value of standard
deviation of sample proportion is

a. 0.0056 b. 0.0045 c. 0.067 d. 0.045

8. In stratified sampling, sample drawn randomly from strata is classified as

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Options:

a. sub strata b sub sample c. direct sub group d. Indirect sub group

9.Compute the mean and standard deviation of the sampling distribution of the sample mean when
you plan to take an research of size 64 from a population with mean 44 and standard deviation 16.

a. 44 , 0.25

b. 1.44 , 2

c. 44 , 2

D. 16 , 2

10. A population distribution has a mean of 100 and variance of 16. The standard deviation of the
sampling distribution with a sample of size 25 would be:

a. 0.64

b. 4.

c. 0.8.

d. 3.2

11.Incomes in a certain town are strongly right-skewed with mean $36,000 and standard deviation
$7000. A random sample of 75 households is taken. What is the standard deviation of the sample
mean?
a. $808.29
b. $93.33
c. $7000

d. $9.66

Answers

1. B

2. A

3. D

4. B

5. B

6. A

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7. Ç

8. B

9. C

10. C

11. A

References:

Investopedia , scribbr, statistic for business amplified version, my statistics questions answer...........

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