Chapter 5

Sampling Design and Procedure

 Introduction
 The statistical investigation can take two forms. The researcher
studies every unit of the field of study (survey) and drive
conclusion by computing the sum of all units.
 This type of survey is called census survey. Or the researcher
study only a unit in the field of survey and this type of survey is
called sample survey.
 In sample technique of survey some unit are taken as
representative of the whole field of domain and the conclusion of
the sample is extended to the whole population.
 In this chapter emphasis is given to the second form of
investigation as it was commonly used in most research works.
 Cont’d

A sample design is a definite plan for obtaining a

sample from a given population. It refers to the
technique or the procedure the researcher would adopt
in selecting items for the sample.
Sample design may as well lay down the number of
items to be included in the sample i.e., the size of the
sample.
Sample design is determined before data are collected.
 Some fundamental definitions

Population (Universe): Is the theoretically specified

aggregation of survey elements from which the survey sample
is actually selected. Or any complete group of entities that
share some common set of characteristics
Sampling Frame: Is the list of elements from which the
sample is drawn. Also called working population
Sample: A subset or some part of a larger population
 Cont’d

Sample design: Is a definite plan for obtaining a sample

frame
Sampling: Is the process of using a small number or part of
a larger population to make conclusion about the whole
population.
Sampling Element/unit: A single element or group of
elements subject to selection in the sample
Is unit from which information is collected and which
provides the basis of analysis. A single member of any
given population .
For example, if an airline wishes to sample passengers, it
may take every 25th name on a complete list of passengers.
 Cont’d
Sampling ratio: Size of the sample / size of population.
Sample size: This refers to determining the number of items
to be selected from the population to constitute a sample. The
number of students, families or electors from whom you
obtain the required information is called the sample size and
is usually denoted by the letter n
Statistic: Is a characteristic of a sample
Parameter: Is a characteristic of a population.
E.g., when we work out certain measurement like, mean from a
sample they are called statistics. But when such measure
describe the characteristic of the population, they are called
parameter(s)
Population mean () is a parameter
Where as the sample mean (x) is a statistics
 Need to sample

Sampling provides a valid alternative to a census when:

 It would be impracticable for you to survey the entire
population;
Your budget constraints prevent you from surveying
the entire population;
 Your time constraints prevent you from surveying the
entire population;
 You have collected all the data but need the results
quickly
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SAMPLE DESIGN

Sample design must

result in a truly representative sample.
results in a small sampling error.
be viable in the context of funds available for the research
study.
be such so that systematic bias can be controlled in a better
way.
be such that the results of the sample study can be applied, in
general, for the universe with a reasonable level of confidence
 Steps in sampling

1. Define the target population/ universe:

2. Determine the sampling unit:
3. Identify the sampling frame (source list):
4. Determine the sample size:
5. Choosing of sampling types or techniques probability
or none probability:
 Determining the sample size

Sample size depends on what you want to do with the

findings and what type of relationships you want to establish.
Your purpose in undertaking research is the main
determinant of the level of accuracy required in the results,
and this level of accuracy is an important determinant of
sample size.
Technically, the size of the sample depends upon the
precision the researcher desires in estimating the population
parameter at a particular confidence level.
There is no single rule that can be used to determine sample
size.
The best answer to the question of size is to use as large a
sample as possible
 Cont’d
 Choice of sample size is governed by:
 The confidence you need to have in your data
The types of analyses you are going to undertake
The size of the total population from which your sample is
being drawn.
Generally, 95 to 99 per cent confidence intervals are
acceptable i.e., 5 to 1 per cent error. Given these competing
influences, it is not surprising that the final sample size is
almost always a matter of judgment as well as of calculation.

n= N)
𝑛𝑘= ( 𝑁𝐾 ÷ 𝑁 ) ∗𝑛
nk = Sample size of kth stratum Nk = Population size of the
kth stratum N = Total population size n = Total sample size
 Types of sampling
There are two main categories: Random (Probabilistic) and
Non-random (Non-Probabilistic).
1. PROBABILITY SAMPLING
When elements in the population have a known chance of
being chosen as subjects in the sample, we choice to a
probability sampling design.
Probability sampling is also known as random sampling. It is
a procedure in which every number of the population will
have a known, non-zero or equal and independent chance
of selection in the sample.
 Methods of drawing a random sample

1. The fishbowl draw – if your total population is small,

an easy procedure is to number each element using
separate slips of paper for each element, put all the slips
into a box and then pick them out one by one without
looking, until the number of slips selected equals the
sample size you decided upon. This method is used in
some lotteries.
2. Computer program – there are a number of programs
that can help you to select a random
3. Use of table of random numbers: The most practical
and economical method of selecting a random sample
consists of the use of table of random numbers.
 Types of Probability Sampling
1. SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING
 is the one where each item in the universe has a known and non-zero
opportunity of being selected. Simple random sample is a sample
selected in such a way that every item in the population has an equal
and independent chance of being included.
2. STRATIFIED RANDOM SAMPLING
 Stratification means division of the universe into non-overlapping
groups according to geographical, sociological or economic
characteristics.
 involves dividing your population into homogeneous subgroups
(called strata) and then taking a simple random sample in each
subgroup.
 every population element must be assigned to one and only one
stratum and that no population elements are omitted in the
assignment procedure
 CATEGORIES OF STRATIFIED SAMPLING

I. Proportionate stratified sampling-This sampling involves

drawing a sample from each stratum in proportion to the share
of the stratum in the total population.
II. Disproportionate stratified random sampling- This method
does not give proportionate representation to strata. All strata
may be given equal weight even though their shares in the total
population can vary.
 Cont’d

3. SYSTEMATIC RANDOM SAMPLING

The systematic sampling design involves drawing every Kth
element in the population starting with a randomly chosen element
between 1 and K.
Systematic sampling (or interval random sampling) is a probability
sampling procedure in which a random selection is made of the
first element for the sample, and then subsequent elements are
selected using a fixed or systematic interval until the desired
sample size is reached
 STEPS INVOLVED IN SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING

 First of all, the population is arranged in serial numbers

from 1 to N, and the size of sample is determined
Second the sample interval is determined by dividing the
population by the size of sample
i.e. N/n = K
Where K = sample interval
N = Size of population
n = Sample size
Third any number is selected at random from the first
sampling interval. The subsequent samples are selected at
equal or regular intervals
 4. CLUSTER SAMPLING

 Clusters can be formed on the basis of geographical proximity or a

common characteristic that has a correlation with the main
variable of the study (as in stratified sampling).
 Depending on the level of clustering, sometimes sampling may be
done at different levels. These levels constitute the different stages
(single, double or multiple) of clustering
 5. MULTI-STAGE SAMPLING

Multi-stage sampling is a further development of the principle

of cluster sampling. Sometimes called multi-stage cluster
sampling, is a development of cluster sampling.
The method is generally used in selecting a sample from a
very large area.
Here the population is regarded as made of a number of first
stage sampling units (e.g., regions), each of which is further
composed of a number of second stage sampling units (e.g.,
zones) which is further composed of third stage sampling
units (e.g., woredas) and so on till we ultimately reach the
desired sampling unit in which we are interested.
At each stage, there is a random selection and the size of
sample may be proportional or disproportional
 NON-PROBABILITY SAMPLING

In non-probability sampling, the elements do not have a

known or predetermined chance of being selected as
subjects.
The probability of any particular member of the
population being chosen is unknown.
The selection of sampling units in non-probability
sampling is quite arbitrary, as researchers rely heavily on
personal judgment.
 Types of Non-probability Sampling Techniques

1) Convenience (Accidental) Sampling: refers to sampling

by obtaining people or units that are conveniently
available. A research team may determine that the most
convenient and economical method.
 are best used for exploratory research when additional
research will subsequently be conducted with a probability
sample
 Are used in the following conditions
The universe is not clearly defined
Sampling unit is not clear
A complete source list is not available
 Cont’d

2. PURPOSIVE SAMPLING : This is also called ―deliberate

sampling” or judgment sampling. When the researcher deliberately
selects certain units for study from the universe, it is known as
purposive sampling.
It occurs when one picks sample members to conform to some criteria.
3) QUOTA SAMPLING
Quota sampling is a type of stratified sample in which selection of
cases within strata is entirely non-random
4. SNOWBALL SAMPLING
is the process of selecting a sample using networks. To start with, a
few individuals in a group or organization are selected and the required
information is collected from them. They are then asked to identify
other people in the group or organization, and the people selected by
them become a part of the sample.
 PROBLEMS IN SAMPLING

1. Sampling errors: It is a measurement error, a random

variation in the sample estimates around the true population
parameter. It is calculated only for probability sampling.
2. Non sampling errors: This refers to:
i. Non-coverage error: this refers to sample frame defects: Ex:
omission of part of the population;
ii. The wrong population is sampled: Be sure that the group
being sampled is drawn from the population. E.g., drawing a
sample of college students generalize about all college age
persons
iii. Non-response error: The response rate is low. Some people
refuse to be interviewed because they are too busy, or simply
do not trust the interviewer
 Cont’d

iv. Response Bias: error that occurs when respondents tend to

answer in a certain direction: consciously or unconsciously
misrepresent the truth.
v. Instrumental errors: instrument device to collect data (Ex:
questionnaire)
vi. Interviewer errors: When some characteristics of the
interviewer (age, sex, etc.) affects the way in which the
respondent answers questions.
End!