POPULATION SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

In research, understanding the concepts of population, sample, and sampling

techniques is crucial for designing studies, collecting data, and ensuring that
results are valid and generalizable.
1. Population
Definition:
The population refers to the entire group of individuals, objects, or phenomena
that the researcher is interested in studying. It includes every member or
element that shares a common characteristic related to the research question.
Types of Population:
 Target Population: The total group of people or elements that the
researcher is interested in generalizing their findings to.
 Accessible Population: The portion of the target population that is
realistically available for the researcher to study.
Examples:
 All students enrolled in high schools across the United States (target
population).
 All students enrolled in high schools in a specific district (accessible
population).
2. Sample
Definition:
A sample is a subset of the population that is selected to participate in the study.
Researchers collect data from the sample and use it to make inferences about
the entire population.
Characteristics of a Good Sample:
 Representativeness: The sample should accurately reflect the
characteristics of the population.
 Adequate Size: The sample should be large enough to provide reliable
data.
 Randomness: Selection methods should avoid bias to ensure that every
member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen (in the
case of random sampling).
Examples:
  A sample of 500 high school students from various schools across a
district to represent the larger population of students.
 A group of 100 patients from a hospital’s cardiology department to study
heart disease.
3. Sampling Techniques
Sampling techniques are the methods used to select individuals or elements
from the population to create the sample. They are generally classified into
probability sampling and non-probability sampling methods.
A. Probability Sampling
In probability sampling, each member of the population has a known and equal
chance of being selected. This reduces bias and increases the representativeness
of the sample.
Types:
1. Simple Random Sampling:
o Definition: Every member of the population has an equal chance
of being selected, usually by using random numbers or a lottery
system.
o Advantages: Reduces bias, highly representative.
o Disadvantages: May not be practical for large populations.
o Example: Assigning random numbers to all students in a school
and randomly selecting 100 for a study.
2. Stratified Sampling:
o Definition: The population is divided into subgroups (strata) based
on specific characteristics (e.g., age, gender, income), and random
samples are drawn from each stratum.
o Advantages: Ensures representation of all subgroups.
o Disadvantages: Can be complex to implement.
o Example: Dividing a population into age groups (e.g., 18–24, 25–
34) and randomly selecting individuals from each group.
3. Systematic Sampling:
o Definition: A systematic approach where every nth individual
from a list of the population is selected (e.g., every 10th name on a
list).
 o Advantages: Simple and easy to use.
o Disadvantages: If there is a pattern in the list, it may introduce
bias.
o Example: Selecting every 5th patient entering a clinic for a survey.
4. Cluster Sampling:
o Definition: The population is divided into clusters, and a random
sample of clusters is selected. All individuals within the chosen
clusters are then studied.
o Advantages: Cost-effective for geographically dispersed
populations.
o Disadvantages: Less precise than simple random sampling.
o Example: Dividing schools in a city into clusters and randomly
selecting a few schools, then surveying all students within those
schools.
B. Non-Probability Sampling
In non-probability sampling, not all members of the population have an equal
chance of being selected. This method is more subjective and may introduce
bias but is often used when probability sampling is impractical.
Types:
1. Convenience Sampling:
o Definition: The sample is taken from individuals who are easiest to
access and willing to participate.
o Advantages: Quick, easy, and inexpensive.
o Disadvantages: High potential for bias, may not be representative.
o Example: Surveying people at a shopping mall about their
consumer habits.
2. Purposive (Judgmental) Sampling:
o Definition: The researcher uses their judgment to select
participants who are most likely to provide valuable information
relevant to the study.
o Advantages: Useful for studying specific groups or phenomena.
o Disadvantages: Subject to researcher bias, less generalizable.
 o Example: Selecting expert doctors to study their opinions on a new
medical treatment.
3. Snowball Sampling:
o Definition: Existing study participants recruit or refer new
participants from their social networks, particularly useful for
studying hard-to-reach populations.
o Advantages: Effective for finding hidden populations.
o Disadvantages: May not be representative, biased toward more
connected individuals.
o Example: Studying people in underground movements by asking
participants to refer others who are involved.
4. Quota Sampling:
o Definition: The researcher divides the population into specific
subgroups and selects a fixed number of participants (quota) from
each group, often based on convenience or purposive methods.
o Advantages: Ensures representation of key subgroups.
o Disadvantages: Selection within each subgroup may still introduce
bias.
o Example: Selecting 50 men and 50 women from a population for a
study on gender differences in workplace satisfaction.