ARELLANO UNIVERSITY

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
LESSON 16
TOPIC: Population and Sampling: Probability Sampling Techniques

Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Identify the factors affecting sample selection;
b. Compare and contrast sampling techniques;
c. Adopt the most appropriate sampling technique for a chosen research topic.

REFERENCES
a. Module in Practical Research 2 Quantitative Research; Dr. Ruel C. Rodil, Dr.Rafael I.
Balignasay Jr., Dr. Eduardo O. Dela Cruz
b. Practical Research 2; Esther L. Baraceros

1. Sampling means choosing from a large population the respondents or subjects to answer your
research questions. The entire population is involved but for your research study, you choose only a
part of the whole.
Factors Affecting Sample Selection
1.Sample Size
- How big should the sample be? Some researchers base their decision on their own experience and
on research studies they have already read. But the best way to guide you in determining the right
sample size is the representatives of the sample with respect to the population. See to it that the
sample truly represents the entire population from where the sample came.
2. Sampling Technique
- Sampling techniques fall under two categories: probability sampling and non-probability sampling.
The first on uses a random selection; the second, a purposive or controlled selection. Probability
sampling that gives all population members equal opportunity to be chosen as people to constitute
the sample is a precise way of sampling. Based on pure chance, it is unbiased or an accurate manner
of selecting the right people to represent the population.
3. Heterogeneity of Population
- Heterogenous population is composed of individuals with varied abilities. There is a wide variation
among the people composing the population. If it is a homogenous population where lots of uniformity
in abilities exist among population members, a sample of one will do, But for a heterogenous group, a
sampling technique that will widely spread the choosing of a large sample among all members of the
population is necessary.
4. Statistical Techniques
- The accuracy of the sample depends also on how precise or accurate your methods are in
calculating the numbers used in measuring the chosen samples or in giving a certain value to each of
them. Any error in your use of any statistical method or computing numbers representing the selected
subjects will turn in unfounded results.
5. Time and Cost
-Choosing samples makes you deal with one big whole population, with each member of this large
group needing your attention, time and effort, let alone the amount of money you will fork out for the
materials you will need in making the sampling frame. Hence, considering all these things, your
sample selection makes you spend some of your time deliberati8ng or mulling over several factors
affecting or influencing your sample selection.

Sampling Methods
The sampling methods are of two groups which are as follows ( Tuckman 2012: Emmel 2013; De
Vaus 2013; Picardie 2014):
1.Probability Sampling
This is sampling method that makes you base your selection of respondents on pure
chance. In this case, everybody in population participates. All are given equal opportunity or chance
to form the sample that is capable of reflecting the characteristics of the whole population from where
such sample was drawn. The following are the different probability sampling techniques.
a. Simple random sampling- choosing respondents based on pure chance.
b. Systematic sampling- picking out from the list every 5th or every 8th member listed in the sampling
frame until the completion of the desired total number of respondents.
c. Stratified sampling- choosing a sample that will later on be subdivided into strata, sub-groups, or
sub-samples during the stage of the data analysis.
d. Cluster sampling- selecting respondents in clusters, rather than in separate individuals such as
choosing 5 classes of 40 students each from a whole population of 5,000 students.

Ensuring a bias-free selection of subjects, these probability sampling techniques are

considered by many as more capable than the non-probability sampling techniques in coming out
with the accurate or exact samples to give pieces of information about the population as a whole.

2. Non- probability Sampling

The sampling techniques included in this category are not chosen randomly, but
purposefully. Not randomized, they are susceptible to bias. Unlike the probability sampling techniques
that exclude the researcher’s judgment, the non-probability sampling techniques succumb to the
control, likes, or wishes of the researcher and to restrictions imposed by the researcher on the
sampling procedure. The following are the non- probability sampling techniques.

a. Quota sampling- choosing specific samples that you know correspond to the population in terms
of one, two, or more characteristics.
b. Voluntary sampling- selecting people who are very much willing to participate as respondents in
the research project.
c. Purposive sampling- choosing respondents whom you have judged as people with good
background knowledge or with great enthusiasm about the research.
d. Availability sampling- picking out people who are easy to find or locate and willing to establish
contact with you.
e. Snowball sampling- selecting samples from several alternative samples like drug dependents,
human traffickers, street children, and other wayward and homeless people whose dwelling places
are not easily located for they are like nomads moving from place to place.

Random Sampling ois-a-ois Statistical Methods

The most preferred sampling technique in qualitative or quantitative research is random

sampling. However, this kind of probability sampling requires the use of statistical method in
measuring sample. Three probability sampling techniques: simple random, stratified, and systematic
depend greatly on statistics for sample accuracy. The use of statistics does not only prevent you from
favoring any side of a thing or situation involved in the research but also proves the accuracy or
precision of your sampling procedure. Contributing to the accuracy of sampling through the use of
statistical methods in stratified sampling in your adherence to the following steps of this unbiased
technique (Suter 2012; Emmel 2013; Corti 2014)

1.Decide on the size of the sample.

2. Divide the sample into sub-sets or sub- samples, with sub- samples having the same aggregate
number as that of the sample they came from.
3. Select the appropriate sub- sample randomly from each sub- group or stratum
4. Put together the sub- sample results to get the total number of the overall sample.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Five Basic Sampling Techniques
Population- the entire number of the people, objects, activities, or events under the study
Sample- a subset of the population chosen to represent the population from where they are selected
Sampling- the act, process, technique of selecting a suitable sample
Probability Sampling- a sampling technique where every individual in the population has
equal chance of being selected in the sample
A. Simple Random Sampling- Every element has a chance to get chosen. Used when there is no
prior information about the target population
B. Systematic Sampling- There is a system of randomly selecting from the population. For example:
every third person in the line will be chosen.
C. Stratified Sampling- The population is divided into subgroups (strata) and in that subgroups, a
few or specific number of elements per group is used as a sample.
D. Clustered Sampling- The population is divided into clusters. Then the clusters are randomly
selected either as a whole or some elements of a cluster only.

SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING EXAMPLE: (#1 b, d)

Mr. Kim will conduct a recitation in his class. An example of a simple random sample
would be the names of 60 students. In this case, the 60 students in a classroom have
an equal chance of being chosen for the recitation.

SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING EXAMPLE: (#2 a, c)

Every SHS graduate has an opportunity to apply for a scholarship but those who will
graduate as an achiever will be prioritized.

STRATIFIED SAMPLING EXAMPLE:(#3 f,g)

To represent the campus for the annual research colloquium, 1-3 researches per strand
are required to be selected. Therefore, 1 from ABM, 1 from STEM, 2 from
HUMSS/GAS, 1 from ICT and 3 from Cookery represented the campus last year.

CLUSTERED SAMPLING EXAMPLE:(#4 e, h)

Grade 12 has 10 clusters. For the dance competition, only Cluster 2, 3, and 6 will
represent the Grade 12 students in EEC.

REFERENCES / MATERIALS:
● · Dr. Rodil, Ruel C., Dr. Balingasay, Rafael Jr. I., and Dr. Delacruz, Eduardo O., Module in
Practical Research 2 Quantitative Research
● AU-EEC Research Department 2019
● https://www.simplypsychology.org
● https://www.statisticshowto.com/