Sampling design What is sampling?

0* Sample is a part or small section selected from the population, and the process of such selection is known as sampling. 1* Population: all the items under consideration in any field of inquiry constitute a universe or population. Statistics and parameters 2* 3* A statistic is a parameter of a sample. A parameter is a characteristic of a population. What is census? 4* A complete enumeration of all the items in the population is known as census enquiry.

Census & sampling 5* Census is likely to yield more reliable results, but sampling method is more desirable than taking a census for some reasons. Advantages of sampling over census

6* In very large populations, it would be very difficult to study every element of the population. 7* 8* Less expensive Less time consuming

9* The accuracy of data may suffer in census, when population is large, and too many interviewers are employed. 10* If studies involve destruction of the elements, it would be only appropriate to study a sample of elements.

Types of sampling 11* Probability sampling: all the items in the population have a chance of being chosen in the sample. 12* Nonprobability sampling: deliberate/ purposive sampling. This sampling method involves purposive or deliberate selection of particular units of the universe for constituting a sample which represents the universe. Types of probability sampling 13* Simple random sampling 14* Systematic sampling 15* Stratified sampling 16* Cluster sampling 17* Multistage sampling

Simple random sampling 18* Each and every item of the population has an equal chance of inclusion in the sample and each one of the possible samples, in case of a finite universe, has the same probability of being selected. 19* Finite population: population has stated or limited size. 20* An infinite population is a population in which it is theoretically impossible to observe all the elements. 21* With replacement: after an unit is selected from the population, its value is recorded, and it is again placed back in the population. 22* Without replacement: after the first unit is chosen, it is no longer replaced in the population.

How to do random sampling? 23* Using table of random digits 24* Using slip of papers

Advantages & disadvantages 25* Advantages 26* Simplicity for adoption. 27* Disadvantages 28* When the population variability is high, it can not be used. 29* For a large population, it is time-consuming. 30* For geographically widespread sample, data collection is expensive and time-consuming.

Systematic sampling 31* In systematic sampling, elements are selected from the population at a uniform interval that is measured in time, order, or space. 32* It is appropriate if the researcher wishes to spread the sample over the entire population. 33* Systematic sampling may be inappropriate when the elements lie in a systematic manner. Advantages and disadvantages 34* Advantages 35* Simple to design. 36* Easier to use than srs. 37* Less expensive than srs.

38* Disadvantages 39* Periodicity may skew the sample and result.

Stratified sampling 40* Appropriate when the population is not homogeneous. 41* The heterogeneous population is stratified into a number of non-overlapping sub-population or strata, and sample items are selected from each stratum. 42* Strata is formed on the basis of common characteristics of the items to be put in each stratum.

Ways to take stratified samples

43* Select at random from each stratum a specified number of elements corresponding to the proportion of that stratum in the population as a whole. 44* Draw an equal number of elements from each stratum and give weight to the results according to the stratums proportion of total population. Stratified sampling 45* Proportional allocation: sizes of the samples from different strata are kept proportional to the sizes of the strata. 46* Optimum allocation: appropriate when strata differ both in size and variability.

Advantages and disadvantages 47* Advantages 48* More efficient than srs. 49* Allows more comprehensive data analysis. 50* More convenient to administer.

51* Disadvantages 52* Stratification of the population requires additional prior information about the population.

Cluster sampling

53* It involves grouping the population and then selecting the groups or the clusters rather than individual elements for inclusion in the sample. 54* In area sampling, the total area is divided into a number of smaller areas called geographical clusters, then a number of these smaller areas are randomly selected, and all units of these small areas are included in the sample.

Comparison of stratified and cluster sampling

55* With both stratified and cluster sampling, the population is divided into well-defined groups. 56* Stratified sampling is used when each group has small variation within itself but there is a wide variation between the groups. 57* Cluster sampling is used when there is a considerable variation within each group but the groups are essentially similar to each other.

Advantages & disadvantages 58* Advantages 59* Easy to implement 60* Cost effective 61* Disadvantages 62* Sampling efficiency is likely to decrease with the increase in sample size.

Multistage sampling

63* An extension of cluster sampling approach. 64* The selection of sample is carried out in two or more stages. 65* The population is first divided into a number if first stage units (clusters) from which a sample is drawn at random. This can be extended by adding further stages. 66* Sampling at each stage being done at random from the sampling units or clusters selected in the previous stage.

Nonprobability sampling 67* Judgement sampling 68* Convenience sampling 69* Quota sampling 70* Snowball sampling Judgement sampling 71* Some one who is well acquainted with the population decides which members (elementary units) in his judgement would constitute a proper cross-section representing the parameters of relevance to the study. 72* Advantage: reduce cost of preparing sample 73* Disadvantages: does not allow generalisation, subjective.

Convenient sampling 74* A sample is obtained by selecting convenient population elements. 75* Sample is not representative of population. 76* Results are biased and unsatisfactory. 77* Generally used for pilot study, testing a questionnaire. 78* Sample not recommended for descriptive or causal research.

10

Quota sampling 79* The basic parameters which describe the population identified first. 80* Quotas are fixed according to these parameters and each field investigator is assigned with quotas of the number of units to be interviewed. 81* Within the pre-assigned quotas, the selection of the sample elements depend on the personal judgement.

Advantages & disadvantages 82* Advantages 83* Sample can be controlled for certain characteristics. 84* Disadvantages 85* Selection bias, no assurance of representativeness.

11

Snowball sampling 86* Initial respondents are selected randomly but where additional respondents are then obtained from referrals or by other information provided by the initial respondents. 87* In other types of snowball sampling, referrals from referrals are obtained, and so on, thus leading to the term snowballing.

Choice of sampling scheme 88* It depends on 89* Nature of the problem 90* Cost and time involved 91* Desired level of precision or reliability of the result.

Design a questionnaire to assess the impact of advertisements in increasing awareness about AIDS.

12