Stratified Sampling: What Is Non-Probability Sampling?
Stratified Sampling: What Is Non-Probability Sampling?
Stratified sampling refers to a type of sampling method. With stratified sampling, the
researcher divides the population into separate groups, called strata. Then, a probability
sampling (often a simple random sample) is drawn from each group.
Stratified sampling has several advantages over simple random sampling. For example,
using stratified sampling, it may be possible to reduce the sample size required to
achieve a given precision. Or it may be possible to increase the precision with the same
sample size.
Sampling method
A good sample is representative. This means that each sample point represents the
attributes of a known number of population elements.
Bias often occurs when the survey sample does not accurately represent the
population. The bias that results from an unrepresentative sample is called selection
bias. Some common examples of selection bias are described below.
How did this happen? The survey relied on a convenience sample, drawn from
telephone directories and car registration lists. In 1936, people who owned cars
and telephones tended to be more affluent. Undercoverage is often a problem
with convenience samples.
Nonresponse bias. Sometimes, individuals chosen for the sample are unwilling
or unable to participate in the survey. Nonresponse bias is the bias that results
when respondents differ in meaningful ways from nonrespondents. The Literary
Digest survey illustrates this problem. Respondents tended to be Landon
supporters; and nonrespondents, Roosevelt supporters. Since only 25% of the
sampled voters actually completed the mail-in survey, survey results
overestimated voter support for Alfred Landon.
The Literary Digest experience illustrates a common problem with mail surveys.
Response rate is often low, making mail surveys vulnerable to nonresponse bias.
Objective: To select n units out of N such that each NCn has an equal chance of
being selected.
Procedure: Use a table of random numbers, a computer random number
generator, or a mechanical device to select the sample.