Sampling

Techniqu
es
Explore the different ways to
represent a population.
 Representing a
population
A sample refers to a portion of the population.

I t is u
sed t
repre o
P O P U L AT I O N S A M PL E sent
p op u the
lation
a stu in
dy.
 Quick Check
If the school has 200 students, which of the statements can be true?

The population is 200

The sample can include 220 students

from the school

Asking a sample will be faster than Put a c

asking the population h ec k
( ) to
the cor
rect
answe
r.
 ANSWER KEY

Quick Check
If the school has 200 students, which of the statements can be true?

The total number of students Additiona

The population is 200 l Info
is the population.
Using a sa
mple
instead of
the
population
The sample can include 220 students The sample size is always smaller than is
also more
from the school the population. cost-effec
tive
and easie
r to
process.

Asking a sample will be faster than Since the size is smaller, it saves time
asking the population to ask just the sample.
 Researchers use two
major sampling
techniques: probability
sampling and
nonprobability sampling.
 Sampling
REME
MBER Techniques
A sample must represent the entire This is why choosing the
population. appropriate technique from the
list below is important.
A sample must not be biased.
• Cluster
• Simple Random
This means that all members have an
• Stratification
equal chance of being selected. • Systematic
Probability sampling
methods
 Probability sampling
methods
Probability sampling means that every member of the population
has a chance of being selected. It is mainly used in quantitative
research. If you want to produce results that are representative of
the whole population, probability sampling techniques are the
most valid choice.
There are four main types of probability sample.
Advantages of Probability Sampling:
Reduces Bias: Since every individual has a known chance of selection, this
minimizes the risk of bias.
Representative: Helps in getting a sample that accurately reflects the population.
Generalization: Allows for statistical inference, meaning results from the sample
can be generalized to the broader population.

Disadvantages:
Complexity: It can be more time-consuming and costly compared to non-probability
sampling.
Requires a Sampling Frame: A list of the entire population must be available, which
might not always be feasible.
 Simple Random Sampling
Simple Random Sampling (SRS) is one of the most fundamental types of probability sampling. In this method,
every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample. The selection process is
completely random, with no bias or pre-determined influence. A complete list of all individuals (sampling frame)
in the population is necessary to ensure each has a chance of selection.

How to Perform Simple Random Sampling:

There are two main techniques for selecting the sample:

Lottery Method:
Each individual in the population is assigned a unique number.
The numbers are then randomly drawn (similar to picking names from a hat).
Individuals corresponding to the selected numbers form the sample.
Example: A teacher writes the names of 100 students on slips of paper, places them in a box, and randomly picks 10 slips. The 10 selected students will be in the sample.
Random Number Generator:
Assign each individual in the population a unique number.
Use a random number generator (such as in Microsoft Excel, Python, or an online tool) to select numbers randomly.
Individuals corresponding to the selected numbers are included in the sample.
Example: A researcher uses a random number generator to select 50 employees out of 500 in a company for a survey.
 Sampling Frame
A sampling frame is a list or database of all the elements or individuals in the population from which a sample
will be drawn. It serves as the source for selecting participants in a survey or study. The frame should ideally be
as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible to ensure that the sample is representative of the population
being studied.

For example, if you're conducting a survey of college students, your survey frame could be the list of enrolled
students at a university. A well-defined survey frame helps to minimize bias and ensures that every member of
the population has a chance to be selected if using probability sampling methods.
 Systematic Random
Systematic random sampling is a type of probability sampling where individuals are selected at regular
Sampling
intervals from a list or ordered sequence of the population. It’s a simpler and often more practical alternative to
simple random sampling, especially when dealing with large populations, as it eliminates the need for random
number generators for each selection.
Systematic Random
Sampling
 Stratified Random
Sampling
The population is divided into subgroups (strata) based on shared characteristics (e.g., age,
gender), and then random samples are taken from each stratum.

Example: Dividing a population by gender and randomly selecting participants from each group
to ensure gender representation.
 Cluster Random Sampling
he population is divided into clusters (e.g., geographical areas), and a random selection of
clusters is made. Then, all individuals within the selected clusters are included in the sample.

Example: Randomly selecting a few schools from a district and including all students from the
selected schools.
 Let's check your understanding!
What type of probability sampling is used here?

 A university wants to assess the academic performance of students. Instead of selecting students individually, the
researchers randomly choose 3 entire classrooms from a total of 15 classrooms and survey all students within those
selected classes.

 The university library wants to measure student satisfaction. They have a list of all 1,000 enrolled students. The
researchers use a random number generator to select 100 students from this list, ensuring each student has an equal
chance of being chosen.

 A college wants to collect feedback about its cafeteria services. They have a list of 500 students and decide to survey
every 10th student on the list. Starting at a randomly chosen point, they select every 10th name until they reach a total
of 50 students.

 A high school wants to survey students about their participation in sports. The student body is divided into four grades:
9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. The researchers decide to ensure equal representation by randomly selecting 25 students
from each grade, for a total of 100 students.
 Non-probability sampling
Non-probability sampling is def ined as a sampling technique in which
the researcher selects samples based on the subjective judgment of the
researcher rather than random selection. Non-probability sampling is a
method in which not all members of the population have a known or
equal chance of being selected for the study.
 Convenience sampling
Convenience sampling involves selecting participants based on their accessibility
and proximity to the researcher, often leading to a non-representative sample. This
method is frequently used when time and resources are limited, and the goal is to
gather initial insights quickly.

Example:
A researcher standing at the entrance of a university cafeteria randomly approaches
students to f il l out a survey about their eating habits. Since only students passing
through that area are selected, it may not fully represent the entire student body’s
eating behaviors.
 Purposive sampling
In Purposive sampling, participants are selected based on specif ic criteria set by the
researcher, often due to their knowledge, experience, or relevance to the research
topic. This method is useful when the researcher needs to focus on a specif ic
subgroup of the population.

Example:
A study on workplace leadership might specif ically select experienced managers or
CEOs who have been in leadership roles for at least 10 years. The researcher uses
their judgment to include participants who can provide the most valuable insights on
leadership practices.
 Snowball sampling
Snowball sampling involves existing study participants recruiting future participants
from among their acquaintances or networks. This method is often used when the
target population is hard to reach or hidden, such as when studying specific
subcultures, vulnerable populations, or people with rare characteristics.

Example:
In a study on people recovering from substance abuse, the researcher may initially
find one participant, who then introduces others who are in recovery to the researcher.
The sample "snowballs" as more participants are recruited through their personal
networks.
 Quota sampling
Quota sampling ensures that certain subgroups within a population are represented
in the sample according to predef in ed characteristics (such as age, gender, or
occupation). However, within each quota, participants are chosen non-randomly,
which can introduce bias.

Example:
A market research f irm may set quotas to ensure their survey of smartphone users
includes equal numbers of men and women, and proportional numbers from different
age groups. The researcher may go to a mall and approach people non-randomly to
meet these quotas.
 Let's check your understanding!
What type of non-probability sampling is used here?

You are a researcher conducting a study on the leadership styles of experienced high school principals in urban areas.
Your goal is to understand how these leaders navigate the challenges of managing large schools with diverse student
populations.

To gather data, you decide to select only principals who meet the following criteria:
Have at least 10 years of experience as a school principal.
Have led a school with a student population of at least 1,000 students.
Have worked in an urban school district with high diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background.

You believe that these principals, with their vast experience and particular work environments, will provide the most
valuable insights into effective leadership strategies in urban school settings. Therefore, you specif ic ally reach out to
principals who meet these criteria and invite them to participate in your study.
 Let's check your understanding!
What type of non-probability sampling is used here?

You are a student researcher conducting a quick survey on college students' study habits in preparation for f inal exams.
Due to limited time, you decide to collect data in the easiest and fastest way possible.
You set up a table in front of the university library and ask any students passing by to participate in your survey. You
approach students who seem to be on their way in or out of the library and ask them to answer a few questions about
their study routines. Since these students are nearby and readily available, you gather responses without much effort.
 Let's check your understanding!
What type of non-probability sampling is used here?

You are conducting a study on the experiences of international students who work part-time while attending university.
Since international students working part-time are a relatively hard-to-reach group, you start by interviewing a few
students you know who fit this description.
At the end of each interview, you ask the participants if they know other international students who are also working part-
time and might be willing to participate in your study. Several of them recommend friends and acquaintances, who, in turn,
recommend more students. As more participants refer you to others, your sample size grows, allowing you to collect a
larger set of data.
 Let's check your understanding!
What type of non-probability sampling is used here?

You are conducting a study on the financial literacy of college students across different academic years. To ensure your
sample reflects the university's student body, you set quotas based on the student population distribution. You decide
that your sample will include:
25% freshmen
25% sophomores
25% juniors
25% seniors