MODULE 8: RANDOM SAMPLING

INTRODUCTION:
Gathering useful information for a research study from a large group of individuals or
objects, does not only involve a great deal of time, but is costly, as well. It is also impractical.
Sometimes, it is even impossible to collect data from the research population that is too large. To
avoid this, researchers resort to sampling techniques. Sampling is the process or technique of
selecting a representative sample from the entire population. In statistics, population refers to the
entire group of individuals or objects known to have similar characteristics. A sample is a subset
of the entire population. If information is gathered from all the members of the population, it is
referred to as census. In this module, sampling distributions and the different types of probability
sampling techniques are discussed and illustrated with examples.

OBJECTIVES:
This module is designed for you to:
(a) illustrate random sampling;
(b) understand the different sampling techniques: and

LESSON PROPER/DISCUSSION:
A researcher always wishes to achieve unbiased results in his or her study. Ones of the
ways to fulfill this is through the use of random sampling.

TYPES OF RANDOM SAMPLING

There are four types of random sampling techniques.

1. Simple Random Sampling (SRS)

This is the most basic sampling technique. In this sampling technique, every member of the
population has an equal chance of being chosen to be part of the sample. One way to do SRS
is by using the Table of Random Numbers. This table contains rows and columns of
mechanically generated digits. Another way to do this is by using the lottery method. Here,
each element of the population is assigned a unique number. The numbers are written on
pieces of paper with identical size and shape. These pieces of paper are then folded and
placed in a bowl or box where they are thoroughly mixed together. Without looking or with
eyes closed, the researcher picks the required number of folded pieces paper. All the
elements bearing the numbers picked by the researcher become elements of the sample. The
selection of elements depends entirely on chances. This technique is also known as the
Simple Random Sampling without Replacement (SRSWOR). However, if the process
involves returning the selected piece of paper to the box or bowl after it was noted and the
next sample is drawn again from the same number of population, this technique is referred as
Simple Random Sampling with Replacement (SRSWR). This gives us element of the
population more than one chance to be part of the sample and thus, making elements of
sample not distinct with one another.

Definition of Simple Random Sampling

A simple random sampling is sampling technique in which every element of the
population has the same probability of being selected for inclusion in the sample.

EXAMPLE 1: A researcher wants to study the effects of social media on Grade 11 students
in Manila Mathematics High School. He wishes to use the simple random sampling
technique oozing the members of his sample. If there are 1,000 Grade 11 students in the
school, how many students should there be in his sample? Discuss the steps his must take if
he wishes to uses the lottery method.

Solution:
Step 1. Determine the number of students that should be in the sample. Use the Slovin’s
Formula.

𝑁
𝑛=1 + 𝑁𝑒2

where n = number of samples needed

N = population size
e = margin of error

For the margin of error, use 5% or 0.05

𝑛=

= 285.7 𝑜𝑟 286

Step 2. Assign a number to each of the population. In this problem, assign a number to each
of the 1,000 students.

Step 3. Write the number on pieces of paper with the same size and shape. Fold the pieces of
paper.

Step 4. Put all the folded pieces of paper in a bowl or box.

Step 5. Without looking, randomly pick out 286 folded pieces from the bowl or box.
EXAMPLE 2. A Grade 11 student wants to make a study on the opinions of Grade 8
students concerning the use of the Filipino language in the teaching of Mathematics. There
are 510 Grade 8 students. She wants to interview only the 10% of the Grade 8 students in the
school where the study is to be conducted. If you were the student, how are you going to do it
by using the Table of Random Numbers?

Solution:

Step 1: Multiply 510 by 10% to obtain the members of the sample.

510 × 10% = 51

The number of students is a three-digit number; therefore, assign a three-digit

number to each of the 510 students.

Step 2: Randomly select a starting number from the table. If the table of random numbers
contains 5-digit numbers, consider only the last 3 digits, since the total number of students in
the study is 510 which is a three-digit number. Move down columns selecting the appropriate
number.

Illustration:
52467← 1 (1st member of the sample)
16386← 2 (2nd member of the sample)
14534← (omit since 534 > 510)
23610← (omit since 610 > 510)
45217← 3 (3rd member of the sample)

Continue doing this until 51 students are selected. If there are no numbers left in the first
column, move to the second column. (Refer to the attached table of random numbers).

You can create your own Table of Random Numbers by using a random number generator.

2. Systematic Sampling
Systematic sampling is a random sampling technique in which every kth element of the
population is selected until the desired number of elements in the sample is obtained. The
value of k is calculated by dividing the number of elements in the population by the
number of elements in the desired sample. The value of k is the sampling interval.

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒

𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑘 =
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
𝑁
𝑘=
 𝑛
Where k = sample interval
N = population size
N = sample size

Definition of Systematic Sampling

A systematic sampling is a random sampling technique in which a list of elements of the
population is used as a sampling frame and the elements to be included in the desired sample
are selected by skipping through the list at regular intervals.

EXAMPLE 3: In a group of 250 students, how will you select a sample containing 71
students by using the systematic sampling technique?

Solution:
Step 1. Prepare a sampling frame by randomly arranging the 250 students.

Step 2. Assign each student a number from 1 to 250.

Step 3. Find the sampling interval k. Divide the population size 250 by the sample size 71.

𝑁
𝑘=
𝑛

𝑘=
𝑘 = 3.52 𝑜𝑟 4

Step 4. Select a number from the whole numbers between 0 and k + 1 by simple random
technique. The numbers that are between 0 and k + 1 are 1, 2, 3, and 4. This chosen value is
called as the random start.

Step 5. Assume that the randomly selected number is 2. Use 2 as the starting number.

Step 6. Select every 4th students from the sampling frame starting from the 2nd student.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, …

1st 2nd 3rd

The numbers of the sample will then be 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, …
 3. Stratified Sampling
In stratified sampling, the population is partitioned into several subgroups called strata,
based on some characteristics like year level, gender, age, ethnicity, etc.

Definition of Stratified Sampling

Stratified sampling is a random sampling technique in which the population is
first divided into strata and then samples are randomly selected separately from each stratum.

EXAMPLE 4. You want to interview 200 students in your school to determine their opinion on
the new school uniform. How are you going to choose your sample by using stratified sampling
if there are 1,200 students in grade seven; 1,100 in Grade 8; 1,025 in Grade 9; 940 in grade 10;
900 in Grade 11 and 810 in Grade 12?

Solution: Subdivide the population into several strata. In this problem, subdivide the population
into year levels. Then, make a table similar to the following:

Number of
Population Sample
Students per
N = 600 n=200
Strata
Grade 7 1,200 40
Grade 8 1,100 37
Grade 9 1,050 35
Grade 10 940 31
Grade 11 900 30
Grade 12 810 27
Total 6,000 200

To obtain the sample size per year level, divide the total number of students per year
level by the total number of students in school, and then, multiply the result by 200. Then, select
the members of each sample by using simple random sampling. For instance, in Grade 7, select
the 40 students from the 1,200 students by SRS.

Compute the sample size in each Grade Level.

a. Grade 7: × 200 = 40

b. Grade 8: × 200 = 37

c. Grade 9: × 200 = 35
 d. Grade 10: × 200 = 31

e. Grade 11: × 200 = 30

f. Grade 12: × 200 = 27

Sometimes, the computation will result to one less than the value of n. If this happens,
round up one of the data to the next integer. In this problem, n = 200. If the sum of all sample per
year level is 199, instead of 200, then round up one of the data which is not a whole number to
the next integer.

4. Cluster or Area Sampling

In cluster sampling, the population is divided into clusters. From these clusters, a random
sample of clusters will be drawn. All the elements from the sampled clusters will make
up the sample. Sometimes, clusters are too large and there is a need for second set of
smaller clusters to be taken from the original clusters. For example, a researcher could
divide the province into towns. A sample of towns will be selected using SRS. She/he
could then divide the towns into barrios. From these barrios, a sample of houses will be
identified. This technique is called multi-stage cluster sampling.

Definition of Cluster Sampling

Cluster or area sampling is a random sampling technique in which the entire
population is broken into small groups, or clusters, and then, some of the clusters are
randomly selected. The data from the randomly selected clusters are the ones that are
analyzed.
The difference of cluster sampling from stratified sampling is that the sample
consists of elements from the selected clusters only while in stratified sampling, the
sample consists of elements from all the strata.

EXAMPLE 5. A researcher wants to determine who among the families in a small town
are using the new detergent product. How is she going to do this using the cluster
sampling technique?

Solution:
Step 1. Divide the population into clusters. Use barrios as clusters.

Step 2. Not all the barrios of the town will be included in the sample. Choose the final
barrios by using either the simple random sampling or a systematic sampling technique.

Step 3. Not all families in each selected barrio will be included in the study. Select the
final families to be included in the sample by using either the simple random sampling or
systematic sampling technique.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Tell whether the following statement is true or false.

1. In simple random sampling, every member of the population has the same chance of
being selected for inclusion in the sample.

2. The systematic sampling technique is the most basic type of sampling technique.

3. Cluster sampling involves the selection of every kth element in the population until
the desired number of elements in the sample is obtained.

4. Stratified sampling is a sampling technique in which the population is first divided

into strata and then samples are randomly selected separately from each stratum.

5. A systematic sampling is a sampling technique in which a list of elements of the

population is used as a sampling frame and the elements to be included in the desired
sample are selected by skipping through the list at regular intervals.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
At this point, you are now ready to take the summative assessment for module 3. Place
your answers on a half sheet of paper (lengthwise).

Identify the type of sampling technique used by the researcher in each of the following
situations: simple random sampling, systematic random sampling, stratified random sampling,
or cluster random sampling.

1. The office clerk gave the researcher s list of 500 Grade 10 students. The researcher
selected every 20th name on the list.

2. In a recent research that was conducted in a private school, the subjects of the study were
selected by using the Table of Random Numbers.

3. A researcher interviewed people from each town in the province of Cagayan for his
research on population.

4. A researcher selected a sample of n = 120 from a population of 850 by using the Table of
Random Numbers.

5. A researcher interviewed all top 10 Grade 11 students in each of 15 randomly selected

private schools in Metro Manila.
6. A teacher asked her students to fall in line. He instructed one of them to select every 5th
student in the line.

7. A researcher chose the subjects of her study by selecting every kth member of the
population.

8. A Statistics student did a research on the time spent by Grade 11 students in playing
video games. He randomly selected his subjects by using The Table of Random Numbers.

9. A teacher conducted a study in her school to determine who were better in mathematics:
the boys or the girls.

10. A researcher surveyed all diabetic patients in each of the 25 randomly selected hospitals
in Metro Manila.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE COMPLETED MODULE 3!