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Cluster Sampling Is A Sampling Technique Used When

Cluster sampling is a sampling technique where the total population is divided into natural groupings or clusters. A sample of these clusters is selected, and then information is collected from some or all elements within each selected cluster. This technique reduces costs compared to simple random sampling. Multistage cluster sampling selects elements from each cluster in multiple stages, making it useful when a complete population list does not exist. For example, household surveys by the Australian Bureau of Statistics select geographical areas in successive stages to sample dwellings. While similar, cluster sampling differs from stratified sampling by only studying the selected clusters rather than drawing a random sample from all groups.

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27 views1 page

Cluster Sampling Is A Sampling Technique Used When

Cluster sampling is a sampling technique where the total population is divided into natural groupings or clusters. A sample of these clusters is selected, and then information is collected from some or all elements within each selected cluster. This technique reduces costs compared to simple random sampling. Multistage cluster sampling selects elements from each cluster in multiple stages, making it useful when a complete population list does not exist. For example, household surveys by the Australian Bureau of Statistics select geographical areas in successive stages to sample dwellings. While similar, cluster sampling differs from stratified sampling by only studying the selected clusters rather than drawing a random sample from all groups.

Uploaded by

Noman Iqbal
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Cluster sampling is a sampling technique used when "natural" groupings are evident in a

statistical population. It is often used in marketing research. In this technique, the total
population is divided into these groups (or clusters) and a sample of the groups is
selected. Then the required information is collected from the elements within each
selected group. This may be done for every element in these groups or a subsample of
elements may be selected within each of these groups. A common motivation for cluster
sampling is to reduce the average cost per interview. Given a fixed budget, this can allow
an increased sample size. Assuming a fixed sample size, the technique given more
accurate results when most of the variation in the population is within the groups, not
between them.

Multistage sampling is a complex form of cluster sampling. Using all the sample
elements in all the selected clusters may be prohibitively expensive or not necessary.
Under these circumstances, multistage cluster sampling becomes useful. Instead of using
all the elements contained in the selected clusters, the researcher randomly selects
elements from each cluster. Constructing the clusters is the first stage. Deciding what
elements within the cluster to use is the second stage. The technique is used frequently
when a complete list of all members of the population does not exist and is inappropriate.

In some cases, several levels of cluster selection may be applied before the final sample
elements are reached. For example, household surveys conducted by the Australian
Bureau of Statistics begin by dividing metropolitan regions into 'collection districts', and
selecting some of these collection districts (first stage). The selected collection districts
are then divided into blocks, and blocks are chosen from within each selected collection
district (second stage). Next, dwellings are listed within each selected block, and some of
these dwellings are selected (third stage). This method means that it is not necessary to
create a list of every dwelling in the region, only for selected blocks. In remote areas, an
additional stage of clustering is used, in order to reduce travel requirements.[1]

Although cluster sampling and stratified sampling bear some superficial similarities, they
are substantially different. In stratified sampling, a random sample is drawn from all the
strata, where in cluster sampling only the selected clusters are studied, either in single
stage or multi stage.

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