Analyze multi-stage and sequential sampling

In multi-stage sampling method, sampling is carried out in two or more stages. The population is
regarded as being composed of a number of second stage units and so forth. That is, at each
stage, a sampling unit is a cluster of the sampling units of the subsequent stage. First, a sample
of the first stage sampling units is drawn, then from each of the selected first stage sampling
unit, a sample of the second stage sampling units is drawn. The procedure continues down to
the final sampling units or population elements. Appropriate random sampling method is
adopted at each stage. It is appropriate where the population is scattered over a wider
geographical area and no frame or list is available for sampling. It is also useful when a survey
has to be made within a limited time and cost budget. The major disadvantage is that the
procedure of estimating sampling error and cost advantage is complicated.
Sub-sampling is a part of multi-stage sampling process. In a multi-stage sampling, the sampling
in second and subsequent stage frames is called sub-sampling. Sub-sampling balances the two
conflicting effects of clustering i.e., cost and sampling errors.

Double sampling refers to the subsection of the final sample form a pre-selected larger sample
that provided information for improving the final selection. When the procedure is extended to
more than two phases of selection, it is then, called multi-phase sampling. This is also known as
sequential sampling, as sub-sampling is done from a main sample in phases. Double sampling
or multiphase sampling is a compromise solution for a dilemma posed by undesirable extremes.
“The statistics based on the sample of ‘n’ can be improved by using ancillary information from a
wide base: but this is too costly to obtain from the entire population of N elements. Instead,
information is obtained from a larger preliminary sample nL which includes the final sample n.