CHAPTER SEVEN – SAMPLING TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES IN rejection of the element does not affect the inclusion or exclusion of another.

ement does not affect the inclusion or exclusion of another. For example, if one of five
QUANTITATIVEANDQUALITATIVE close friends in a class was chosen but refuses to participate in the survey if the other four are not
chosen, and the researcher therefore is forced to select either the five or none, then that sample will not
SAMPLING TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES IN QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVERESEARCH be considered as independent sample since the selection of one is dependent upon the selection of the
METHODS others.
Every research activity is a scientific process; hence strict measures have to be done or Main advantages of the Random/Probability Samples
carried out in order to avoid bias. The dictionary defines bias as an influence that can cause a distortion
in research finding due to an oversight in the investigation. Since the total population cannot always be  As they represent the total sampling population, the inferences drawn from such samples can be
covered in every study, there is a need to conduct the study using a reliable sample group. The generalized to the total sampling population.
selection of a sample is guided by systematic procedures and strategies.  Some statistical tests based upon the theory of probability can be applied only to data collected
from random samples. Some of these tests are important for establishing conclusive correlations.
THE CONCEPT OF SAMPLING
Steps in Selecting a Simple Random Sample
According to Kumar (2011), sampling is the process of selecting a few (a sample) from a
bigger group (the population) to become the basis for estimating or predicting the prevalence of an  Define the target population
unknown piece of information, situation or outcome, regarding the bigger group.  Identify an existing sampling frame of the target population or develop a new one.
 Assign a unique number to each element in the frame
Selecting a sample rather than the total population has advantages and disadvantages. On
 Determine the sampling size
the advantage side, it saves time, financial and human resources. But on the disadvantages side, the
researcher finds only an estimate or a prediction of information about the population’s characteristics or  Randomly select the targeted number of population elements
other data, which are essential to the research study.
TECHNIQUES IN DRAWING RANDOM SAMPLES (DANIEL, 2012)
TWO FACTORS MAY INFLUENCE THE DEGREE OF CERTAINTY ABOUTTHEINFERENCES
1. Lottery method (also known as fishbowl technique). The numbers representing each element in
DRAWN FROM A SAMPLE:
the target population are placed on chips, cards, rolled paper, etc. These are then place in a
1. Finding based upon larger samples have more certainty than those based on smaller ones. As a contained and thoroughly mixed. Next, blindly select chips from the container until the desired
rule, “the larger the sample size, the more accurate the findings.” sample size has been obtained.
2. The greater the variation in the study population with respect to the characteristics under study for 2. Table of random numbers. The numbers in a table of random numbers are not arranged in any
a given sample size, the greater the uncertainty. particular pattern. In using this technique, the researcher should blindly select a starting point
and then systematically proceed in the table. The number of digits that are used should
Bias must be avoided in the selection of the sample in order to achieve maximum precision in correspond to the total size of the target population. Since this process is tedious and time
estimates within a given sample size. consuming, a statistical software may be used for large populations.
3. Randomly generated numbers using a computer program (i.e. random number generator).
Example of bias in the selection of a sample: Activate the computer program with random number generator. Key in a specific range of
numbers from hundreds, thousands, or millions and the random numbers will appear…from
1. When sampling is done by a non-random method such as if the selection is consciously or which you will pick your choices.
unconsciously influence by human choice;
2. When the sampling frame (list, index or other population records) which serves as the basis of 2) STRATIFIED SAMPLING (SOMETIMES CALLED QUOTA RANDOMSAMPLING)
selection, does not cover the sampling population accurately and completely.
3. When a section of a sampling population is impossible to find or refuses to cooperate. This is probability sampling procedure in which the target population is first separated into
mutually exclusive, homogenous segments (strata), and then a simple random sample is selected from
Types of Sampling (Kumar, 2011) each segment (stratum). The samples selected from the various strata are then combined into a simple
sample (Daniel, 2012).
There are three major types of sampling designs:
3) SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING (OR INTERVAL RANDOM SAMPLING)
 Probability Sampling
 Non-probability Sampling In this sampling procedure, a random selection is made of the first element for the sample,
 Mixed Methods Sampling then subsequent elements are selected using a fixed or systematic interval until the desired sample
size is reached. For example, after a random start, the researcher may systematically select from a
A. PROBABILITY SAMPLING group of 100 students every third name appearing on the list of community volunteers from the school
to be able to get a targeted sample of thirty-three students.
1) RANDOM/PROBABILITY SAMPLING DESIGN
4) CLUSTER SAMPLING
This is a sampling design wherein each element in the population has an equal and
independent chance of selection in the sample. The concept of independence means that the choice of This is a probability sampling procedure wherein elements of the population are randomly
one’s element is not dependent upon the choice of another element in the sampling or the selection or selected in naturally occurring groupings or clusters. In this kind of sampling, the selection of population
elements is not individually but in aggregates. The clustering of sampling units may be based on
geographical locations (i.e. regional groupings), type of organization or classes (i.e. school districts,
grade 10 classes, etc.) 1.) TELEPHONE-BASED SAMPLING

B. NON-PROBABILITY SAMPLING This is a sampling procedure that utilizes telephone numbers as sampling units. According to
research, telephone surveys were the dominant survey methodology sincethe1980s. There are two
The four major types of non-probability sampling designs are: availability sampling, purposive subtypes of telephone-based sampling, list-based sampling taken from telephone directories, lists of
sampling, quota sampling, and respondent-assisted sampling (Daniel, 2012). employees, customers, etc. and random digit dialing (RDD). The random sampling procedures
previously discussed can also be applied in the telephone-based sampling procedure.
1.) AVAILABILITY SAMPLING
2.) WEB-BASED SAMPLING
Under this sampling design, the sample elements are selected from the target population based on
their availability, on the convenience of the researcher, and/or voluntary/self-selection. According to In this sampling procedure, email addresses, website visits, and recruited users of the internet are
Daniel (2012), availability sampling is the most frequently used sampling procedure in research. Some utilized as sampling units. There are three categories of web-based sampling, namely: list-based
reasons for this are: it is the least complicated sampling procedure. However, availability sampling has sampling, sampling of website visits, and sampling from recruited panels of potential participants in
its weaknesses, such as: it cannot target specific elements of the population. It is least reliable; it does research projects.
not represent population elements that are not readily accessible, that are uncooperative and are
hidden. Moreover, it underestimates the variable of the population. 3.) ADDRESS-BASED SAMPLING (ABS)

2.) PURPOSIVE SAMPLING In this kind of sampling procedure, postal addresses are utilized as sampling units. The ABS
sampling is used mostly in national surveys.
This is a non-probability sampling procedures in which the elements are selected from the target
population on the basis of their fit with the purposes of the study and specific inclusion and exclusion 4.) TIME-BASED SAMPLING
criteria.
Units of time are used as sampling units in this type of sampling. This is used in studying repeated
3.) QUOTA SAMPLING outcomes that vary a great deal over time. The units of time may be time of the day, days of the week,
months of the year, or some other time unit. The time intervals may be the sampling units. The length
This is a type of non-probability sampling procedure in which the population is divided into of the interval would depend in part on the rate of occurrence of what is to be observed. Preparation for
mutually exclusive subcategories, and the researcher solicits participation in the study from members of this type of sampling typically involves visits to the locations where the data will be collected, observing
the subcategories until a target number of elements to be sampled from the subcategories have been the density of the target population over time and gathering information from informants.
met.
Using the information obtained, a sampling frame of time units is developed. Data might be
4.) RESPONDENT-ASSISTED SAMPLING collected several times per day at time periods selected using simple random sampling or systematic
sampling, upon the occurrence of a specific event, or at specifically scheduled time intervals.
In this sampling procedure, the elements are selected from a target population with the assistance
of previously selected population elements. This sampling procedure is often used in studying social Subtypes of time-based sampling according to Daniel (2012) are experience sampling method;
networks, rare populations, and hidden populations such as drug dealers and users and other criminals events sampling methodology; and the use of time by employees, equipment, and facilities, known as
or commercial sex workers, etc. work sampling. The variables that may be studied are social interactions, mood swings, level of stress,
or factors that have impact on work experiences and productivity.
C. MIXED-METHODS SAMPLING
5.) SPACE-BASED SAMPLING
This is a sampling method that combines different types of sampling method into a single
design. This is supported by the idea that the weaknesses of one method maybe compensated by the This refers to a set of sampling procedures that utilize space as a sampling unit. This type of
strengths of the other method that is used. The use of mixed methods research designs was spurred by sampling is also referred to as area sampling, spatial sampling, location-based sampling, venue-based
the application of two key concepts. “multi-method, multi trait matrix and triangulation” which were sampling and facility-based sampling. The space may be geographical units or various locations or
introduced by Campbell & Fiske in 1959(multi- method-multi-trait) and the four types of triangulations venues. It is the principal mode of sampling utilized in nationwide personal interview surveys,
by Denzin (2009); “data triangulation, method logical triangulation, investigator triangulation, and theory environmental sampling, and ecological sampling. (Daniel, 2012).
triangulation” (in Daniel, 2012).

Through the years, researchers have made adjustments in their sampling procedure as a response to
change in technology, lifestyles, the legal environment, and nonresponse rates.