Sample vs.

Population
In research, the Population is the totality of
individuals or objects that are the focus of the study.
The members of a population usually have similar,
binding characteristics.

For example, if researchers wanted to study the

efficacy of the XBrand COVID-19 vaccine, then the
population includes all people that will receive the
vaccine throughout the globe.
There are two groups of Population
The Target Population consists of
the entire group of people or
objects that the researcher/s used
to generalize the conclusion of the
study.
An Accessible Population is a part of the
population by which the researcher has
reasonable access or a subset of a Target
population. This might be limited to a
country, region, state, institution, or a
specific area where the researcher has easy
access.
Usually, a Population is too broad to handle. Thus, a group may
be chosen to represent the population. This group is known to
be a Sample, a subset of the population chosen to participate in
a study. It serves as a basis for concluding the target population.
Those chosen are known as the subjects or respondents of the
study. However, to make sure that the group to be selected is
the representation of the target population, a Sampling Frame is
constructed. A Sampling Frame lists all individuals or objects
included in the target population. In constructing a sampling
frame, care must be taken. It must be organized systematically,
updated, and contains an accurate list of all elements of the
population, including the contact details.
Activity

Sample vs. Population

Objective: Differentiate a sample from a population.

Directions:

Determine whether the given is a sample or a

population.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Number of people with hypertension
2. Number of Filipinos who died of COVID-19
3. Number of university students at UP-Diliman
4. Number of tourist arrival in the Philippines in 2015
5. Number of selected non-smokers in Metro Manila
6. Number of public school teachers in a municipality
7. Number of people randomly selected to be vaccinated
8. Number of Science 8 books in the library of your school
9. Number of students in your school with dogs as their pets
10. Number of Grade 12 male students who enjoy reading books.
Activity 1

1. Population
2. Population
3. Population
4. Sample
5. Sample
6. Population
7. Sample
8. Sample
9. Population
10. Sample
Types of Sampling
Sampling is the process of choosing
participants or respondents from a target
population for your study.

A Sampling Technique is a process of

selecting samples from a target
population.
 In statistics, there are two types of sampling techniques:
1. Probability sampling is the method of drawing samples
where every member of the target population has an equal
chance of being selected. It requires the presence of a
complete list of members of the target population.

2. Non-probability sampling does not ensure that every

member of the target population is given an equal chance of
being selected. Thus, the nonprobability sampling is less
precise. It is usually used when just approximation is required.
Types of Probability
Sampling Techniques
Simple Random Sampling

• simplest probability sampling techniques

• no particular order is used in the actual selection of samples
• each member of the target population has an equal chance of
being included since the samples are just chosen at random
• may be done by a lottery that is why at times this method is
sometimes called a lottery method or by the use of the table of
or computer-generated random numbers
• is normally used when the target population is small, e.g. the
process of drawing winning numbers in raffles
Systematic Sampling

• random sampling process where a pre-selection system is in place to

complement the randomness of the selection process
• requires a complete list of the members of the target population in the
sampling frame
• K value is computed by dividing the population size by the desired
sample size and is used to determine the kth (sample) element to be
taken from the population. Take for example, if your study is about the
attitude of the students towards their involvement in conducting
Scientific Research, the total population of the students in a school is
divided by the desired sample. The students in the school are then
assigned control numbers. Assuming the k value is 74, then every 74th in
the list is taken as a sample.
Stratified Sampling

• the target population is first divided into strata (groups) according to

certain predefined characteristics
• for each stratum, samples are then drawn either randomly or according
to a systematic approach
• done to make sure that the samples selected are not from one stratum
or group only, and that the results are representative of the target
population. A clear example is a study on the efficacy of the X-Brand
COVID-19 vaccine on people ages 18-65, the target population may be
divided into various strata according to their age groups. After
determining the strata, people belonging to the same age range (e.g. 18-
25) are grouped as one. The researcher has the discretion on these
groupings depending on his/her study.
Cluster Sampling
• used when the population is dispersed over a wide geographic region, and it is
costly to gather a complete list of the members of the population
• similar to stratified sampling in that population is first divided into strata
(groups) or clusters, and then clusters are randomly chosen and from these
clusters, samples are taken
• requires a larger sample to be as efficient. Take, for example, to study the
efficacy of the X-Brand COVID-19 vaccine among Filipinos. To better assess and get
the needed data for this study, since Filipinos are living across each region in the
country, the researcher may first randomly select a certain number of regions in
the country to be used as a target population. Then, samples (participants of the
study) are taken from each of these regions.
Types of Non-Probability
Sampling Techniques
Purposeful Sampling

• the process of selecting a sample with a specific ‘purpose’

in mind
• appropriate for qualitative research studies and is usually
used for researches wherein respondents are limited and
the chosen issue is of little knowledge
• various considerations in selecting samples using this
technique: (a) respondents qualify with the criteria of
interest in your research; and (b) they have and/or exhibit
diverse attitude, knowledge, practice, or skill on a particular
issue.
Example:

If you wanted to know the people’s opinion on

vaccination against COVID-19, then the criteria, “Are
you willing to be vaccinated …?” and those who
answered “No” will be excluded from the study.
Quota Sampling

• sampling technique that makes sure the

representative characteristics are well-represented
from a certain number of participants from different
subgroups of specific characteristics
• quota is a specified number that is included in the
sample
Example:

If you think that people with pre-determined

respiratory diseases are prone to the
transmission of COVID-19, so you include 25% of
the participants from each identified respiratory
diseases in your sample.
Snowball Sampling

• used when the target population can be

accessed or identified easily
• used for topics that are highly sensitive and are
not usually openly-discussed. Thus, samples are
built up through referrals.
Example:

If your study is about AIDS among the “third sex”

individuals then, you may start asking someone you knew
having this disease. You may ask also this person for a
further recommendation on people having the same
disease. Like a snowball, starting from a small form of
snow as it continues to roll down a hill of snow, collects
up more snow to form a larger one – this is the same as a
snowball sample in a research study.
Census Sampling

• census is the systematic recording of information of

each member of a population. It is more reliable, and
less prone to error
• usually used if the population of the study is
heterogeneous (mixed)
• for example, if you wanted to know the number of
family members in a household, this sampling technique
can be used
Short Quiz
(1 – 8) Group the different sampling Probability Sampling Non-Probability Sampling
technique according to their type. Techniques Techniques
•Census Sampling
•Simple Random Sampling
•Snowball Sampling
•Systematic Sampling
•Quota Sampling
•Stratified Sampling
•Purposeful Sampling
•Cluster Sampling

9. A sample technique that starts from a small group or individual and continues to
form a larger one.

10. A sample technique which normally use drawing winning numbers in raffles.
 Probability Sampling Techniques Non-Probability Sampling
Techniques
 Simple Random Sampling  Purposeful Sampling
 Systematic Sampling  Quota Sampling
 Stratified Sampling  Snowball Sampling
 Cluster Sampling  Census Sampling

•9. Snowball Sampling

•10. Simple Random Sampling
Laboratory Techniques
and Methods
In making scientific research, designing and conducting an
experiment is of great importance.

An Experiment is a set of procedures that are used by the

investigator to be able to collect the necessary information that
is needed to verify or test the truthfulness of the hypothesis or
to answer the research questions. In an experiment, all the
essential conditions are controlled so that the results can only
be attributed to the independent variable.
Experiments are done under
Controlled Conditions so that the
results can be achieved. Important
concepts must be considered in
learning about designing and
conducting experiments.
The purpose of the Control group or Control treatment is for
comparison. The results from the experimental treatment will be
compared to the results of the control group. This helps in making valid
conclusions about how organic fertilizer showed its effects on the
growth of the plants.

There are two types of control groups in experiments: Negative and

Positive Control groups.
• A Negative Control group receives a negative control treatment (this
is without treatment or a treatment that will not give an effect).
• A Positive Control group receives a positive control treatment, a
treatment that is already known for a particular effect.
Where do you conduct the
experiment?
Laboratory as “a room or building with scientific
equipment for doing scientific tests for teaching
Science, or a place where chemicals or medicines are
produced.”

Laboratory techniques are procedures and practices

that are required in utilizing various equipment inside
the laboratory
Here are some of
the laboratory
techniques and
methods that you
need to learn as
you conduct your
research study.
A. Microbiological Techniques

In microbiology, microorganisms like

archaea, bacteria, fungi, protozoa,
viruses, etc. are being studied. The
common microbiological techniques
are discussed in detail below.
1. Sterilization

Microbiological media, a medium for growing

bacteria or any other microorganisms, must be
sterilized by heating it in an autoclave (like a
pressure cooker) at 121°C for 15 minutes. This
will kill all living organisms, i.e., spores.
2. Aseptic Techniques

This is done to lessen the chance of bacterial

contamination. Furthermore, this also involves
disinfecting working area exposed to microbiological
media to minimize the possible contact by bacteria
from the air and use flames to kill bacteria that might
enter the vessels after opening them.
3. Inoculation

This is the process by which bacteria are introduced to

a media in various means. For example (bacteria), from
a drop in a heat-sterilized loop are dispersed on the
surface of the agar. This is the same with broth
cultures. For bacteria in a liquid, a sterile pipette is
introduced to a Petri dish before the agar is poured on
the top (“pour plates”).
4. Incubation

This is the process of maintaining

favorable conditions for growth and
development, i.e., microbiological
culture.
B.
Chemical
1. Spectrophotometry

This is a method by which you measure the amount of absorption and

transmittance of light. This is used widely for qualitative analysis in
various fields of Sciences (e.g., biochemistry, biology, chemistry,
material and chemical engineering, clinical applications, industrial
applications, etc. ). A spectrophotometer is a device that measures
the number of photons (the intensity of light) passing through a
sample solution. This consists of two devices: a spectrometer and a
photometer.

A Spectrometer is a device that disperses and 5 measures light. On

the other hand, a photometer consists of a photoelectric detector
that measures the intensity of light.
2. Extraction

This is the conversion of compound/s

from a solid or liquid state into another
phase or state.
Preparation of Crude Extracts from Plants

Studies about the medicinal properties of plants require the extraction of crude
compounds from plant parts such as leaves, flowers, and roots. Knowledge on
how to do the extraction process is necessary.

Step 1: Air Drying of Samples. After collecting the adequate amount of plant
samples, wash with clean water and dry at room temperature. The efficiency of
extracting crude compounds can be achieved when the plant samples are
airdried.

Step 2: Grinding the Dried Samples into Powder. The purpose of this step is to
turn samples into small pieces (powder) using a Wiley Mill or if you do not have
one, you can use a pair of scissors. Compounds can easily dissolve in the solvent
when the plant sample is powdered.
Step 3: Soaking the Ground Plant Samples in a Solvent. Soaking the
ground samples in a specific solvent will make the compounds go to the
solvent or will dissolve in the solvent. This is already the start of the
extraction process. The kind of solvent you want to use depends on
your study particularly on the specific compound you want to extract
from the plants. Most commonly used are ethanol, acetone, petroleum
ether, and hexane.

Step 4: Collecting the filtrate. The dissolved compounds from the plant
samples can be found in the filtrate, the liquid mixture. Filter the
mixture using a filter paper (usually Whatman #1 filter paper or as
required by the procedure).
Step 5: Evaporating the solvent. This is the last step in
preparing the crude compounds of crude extract from the
plant sample. You can evaporate the solvent using a Rotatory
Evaporator (Rotavap) or you can simplify by evaporating the
solvent by heating using an alcohol lamp. The crude extract
should be in semi-solid form.

Step 6: Recover the extract from the rotary evaporator

container. The extract should be semi-solid or sticky in
appearance to ensure that the solvent ethanol or other
solvent chemicals are thoroughly removed.
3. Titration

This is the process of determining the concentration of a

solution. Medwick & Kirschner (2010) defined titration as “a
common laboratory method of quantitative chemical analysis
that used to determine the unknown concentration of an
identified analyte.” The common types of titration are acid-
base titration and redox titration. An acid-base titration
depends on the neutralization between an acid and a base
when mixed in a solution. When there is a change in color in
the acid-base indicator signals the endpoint of the titration