Sampling

Introduction
Usually, the population is very large,
making a complete enumeration of all the
values in the population impractical or
impossible. So, we use a small portion of
population ( sample) & collect the
information from them.
This process of collecting information
from a sample is referred to as sampling.

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 SAMPLING

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

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 Terms used in sampling
Population: A complete set of persons or
objects that possess some common
characteristics of interest to the researcher.
Target population is made up of the group
of people or objects to which the researcher
wishes to generalize the findings of the
study.
Actual population is that group that is
actually available for study by the
researcher.
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 Sample: A subset of population that is
selected to represent the population.
Sampling Frame: A sample frame is a list
that includes every member of the
population from which a sample is to be
taken.
Without some form of sample frame,
a random sample of a population, other
than an extremely small population, is
impossible.

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 Sampling error: It is any type of bias
that is attributable to mistakes in either
drawing a sample or determining the
sample size.
Representative sample: A
representative sample has all the
important characteristics of the study
population from which it is drawn.

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 Key sampling concepts
1. Who do you want to generalize to?
Theoretical population( Target population)
2. What population can you get access to?
The study population ( Actual population)
3.How can you get access them?
The sampling frame
4.Who is in your study?
Sample.

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 Developing a sample plan
1. Define the Population of Interest
2. Identify a Sampling Frame (if possible)
3. Select a Sampling Method
4. Determine Sample Size
5. Execute the Sampling Plan

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Methods or types of sampling

Samples are chosen through two

types of sampling procedures. These are:
• Probability sampling

• Non probability sampling

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 Probability sampling
It involves the random selection of
elements from a population.
Random assignment: It is the
process of allocating subjects to different
treatment conditions at random.
Random sampling: It involves a
selection process in which each element in
the population has an equal chance of
being selected.
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 Types of sampling method
Probability Non-probability
• Simple random • Convenience
sampling sampling
• Systematic random • Judgment sampling
sampling • Quota sampling
• Stratified random • Snowball sampling
sampling
• Cluster sampling

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S. No. Probability Sampling Non-Probability Sampling

1 Only methods to get a true No assurance of representative

representative sample ness

2 Estimation of the magnitude of Practical Economical

sampling error is possible

3 Inferential analysis is possible To be cautious about analysis &

interpretation.

4 Expensive at times impractical &

inconvenient.
 Simple random sampling
In simple random sampling,
researchers establish a sampling frame,
the technical name for the list of the
elements from which the sample will be
chosen.

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 Simple random sampling
population
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
4142 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Select only 10 units.

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 It is used in situations where the
number of sampling units is relatively
small.
Process:-
• Identify all possible units available for
sampling
• Decide on the size of the sample
• Choose units by a lottery method

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Advantages:
• Little knowledge of population is needed
• Most unbiased of probability methods

Disadvantages:
• A complete listing of population is
necessary
• Time consuming

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 Systematic random sampling
Systematic random sampling is a
method of probability sampling in which
the defined target population is ordered
and the sample is selected according to
position using a skip interval.
Skip interval: It is the standard distance
between elements chosen for the sample.

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 Example:
Suppose you want sample of 8
houses from a street of 120 houses.
120/8=15, so every 15th house is chosen
after a random starting point between 1
and 15. If the random starting point is 11,
then the houses selected are 11, 26, 41,
56, 71, 86, 101, and 116.
[ The desired sample size = n
The size of population = N (must be known or estimated)
Sampling interval= N/n.].
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 SYSTEMATIC RANDOM SAMPLING

population
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

samples
3,8,13,18,23,28,
Select 10 units 33,38, 43, 48
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Process:
• Obtain listing of population
• Determine the sample size
• Determine sampling interval (k= N/n)
• Select random starting point.
• Select every kth element.

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Advantages:
1. Easy to draw sample
2. Time saving technique.

Disadvantages:
• Sample may be biased if ordering of
population is not random.
• After the first sampling element is
chosen, population members no longer
have equal chance of being chosen.
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 Stratified random sampling

Stratified random sampling is a

method of probability sampling in which
the population is divided into different
subgroups and samples are selected from
each.

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 STRATIFIED RANDOM SAMPLING

+
Population ++
+

Stratum +++
+++

++
Stratum +
Sample

+
Total Sample ++
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Process:
• The population is divided into groups,
based on some characteristic. The groups
are called strata.
• Divide the target population into
homogeneous strata
• Draw random samples from each stratum
• Combine the samples from each stratum
into a single sample of the target
population

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 Example :
Suppose we conduct a national
survey. We might divide the population into
groups or strata, based on geography -
north, east,south, and west. Then, within
each stratum, we might randomly select
survey respondents.

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Advantages:
• Increases probability of sample being
representatives.
• Assures adequate number of cases for
subgroups.
Disadvantages:
• Requires accurate knowledge of
population.
• May be costly to prepare stratified lists.

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 Cluster Sampling
• The entire population of interest is divided
into groups, or clusters,
• With cluster sampling, every member of
the population is assigned to one, and only
one, group.
• Each group is called a cluster.

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• Each cluster must be mutually exclusive and
together the clusters must include the entire
population.
• A sample of clusters is chosen, using a
probability method (often simple random
sampling).
• Only individuals within sampled clusters are
surveyed.
• After clusters are selected, then all units
within the clusters are selected. No units
from non-selected clusters are included in
the
Jul sample.
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Note:
The difference between cluster
sampling and stratified sampling. With
stratified sampling, the sample includes
elements from each stratum. With cluster
sampling, in contrast, the sample includes
elements only from sampled clusters.

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Advantages:
• Saves time & money
• Arrangements made with small number of
sampling units.
• Characteristics of clusters as well as those
of population can be estimated.

Disadvantages:
• Larger sampling error than other
probability samples.
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Multistage Cluster Sampling
State

Districts

Cities / Towns / Villages

Blocks

Households
 Sample Size
The optimal sample size is often a
compromise between what is statistically
Desirable and what is practically Feasible.

In general, a minimum sample size is 30.

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 Determination of sample size
Determining the sample size for a study is
a crucial component of study design.
The goal is to include sufficient
numbers of subjects so that statistically
significant results can be detected.

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 Conclusion
• Principles of sampling should be understood
by everyone.
• Enumerators and supervisors should
understand that any facility, any prescription,
or any patient should have a chance to be
included.
• Make every effort to avoid bias in selecting
units for study.

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 Bibliography
• C.R.Kothari, “Research Methodology
methods & techniques” New age
international publishers, Revised second
edition.
• Rose Marie Nieswiadomy, “ Foundations
of Nursing Research” Pearson Education,
fifth edition.
• Denise F.Polit, “ Nursing Research:
Principles & methods” Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins,
Jul 11, 2024
Seventh edition.
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