Types of Sampling

Selecting a Random Sample

In quantitative research, a good sample is

one that is representative of the population
from which it was selected, and selecting a
representative sample is not a haphazard
process.
Several techniques for selecting a sample are
appropriate, and selection depends on the
situation because the techniques do not all
provide the same level of assurance concerning
representativeness.

However, as with populations, we sometimes

have to compromise the ideal for what is
feasible.
 Probability Sampling
• In probability sampling, the researcher selects
individuals from the population
who are representative of that population.

• This is the most rigorous (precise) form of

sampling in quantitative research because the
investigator can claim that the sample is
representative of the population and as such
can make generalizations to the population.
• Probability sampling techniques because they
permit the researcher to specify the
probability, or chance, that each member of a
defined population will be selected for the
sample.
 Types of Sampling
Four basic techniques or procedures for
selecting a random sample:

1. Simple Random Sampling

2. Stratified Sampling
3. Cluster Sampling
4. Systematic Sampling
Each technique requires the same basic
steps:

Identify the population

Determine the required sample size
Select the sample
 Simple Random Sampling
Simple Random Sampling is the process of selecting
a sample in such a way that all individuals in the
defined population have an equal and independent
chance of selection for the sample.

The selection of the sample is completely out of the

researcher’s control; instead, a random, or chance,
procedure selects the sample.
In other words, every individual has the same
probability of being selected, and selection of one
individual in no way affects selection of another
individual.
 Steps in Simple Random Sampling

1. Identify and define the population.

2. Determine the desired sample size.
3. List all members of the population.
4. Assign all individuals on the list a consecutive
number from zero to the required number,
for example, 000 to 799 or 00 to 89. Each
individual must be assigned a value with
the same number of digits as each other
individual.

5. Select an arbitrary number in the table of

random numbers (close your eyes and point!).
Table of Random Numbers
 Stratified sampling

Stratified sampling is a way to guarantee

desired representation of relevant subgroups
within the sample.

In other words, some populations can be

subdivided into subgroups, known as strata (one
is called a stratum).
Stratified sampling involves strategically
selecting participants from each subgroup.
When a research goal is to compare the
behavior of participants from different
subgroups of the population, stratified sampling
is the best approach.
 Stratified sampling is used to highlight
differences between groups in a population, as
opposed to simple random sampling, which
treats all members of a population as equal,
with an equal likelihood of being sampled.

Typical variables for proportional stratification

include demographic variables such as race,
gender, socioeconomic status, and level of
education.
Stratified Sampling can also be used to select
equal-sized samples from subgroups if subgroup
comparisons are desired.

For example, that you were interested in

comparing the achievement of students of
different ability levels (e.g., high, average, and
low) who are taught by one of two methods of
mathematics instruction (e.g., teacher and
computer).
 Steps for Equal-Sized Groups in Stratified Sampling

• 1. Identify and define the population.

2. Determine desired sample size.
3. Identify the variable and subgroups (i.e.,
strata) for which you want to guarantee a
specific representation.
4. Classify all members of the population as
members of one of the identified subgroups.
5. Randomly select (using a table of random
numbers) an equal number of individuals
from each subgroup.
A stratified random sampling involves dividing the
entire population into homogeneous groups called
strata (plural for stratum). Random samples are then
selected from each stratum.
Example
MBA students in 2015 who received a job offer
within three months of graduation.
Total population: 200000 Graduates
Taking target population of 50000 Instead a
researcher would create population groups based on
gender, age range, race, country of nationality, and
career background.
 Cluster Sampling
In cluster sampling, intact groups, not
individuals, are randomly selected. Any location
within which we find an intact (complete) group
of population members with similar
characteristics is a cluster.

Examples of clusters are classrooms, schools,

city blocks, hospitals, and department stores.
Cluster sampling may be the only feasible
method of selecting a sample when the
researcher is unable to obtain a list of all
members of the population.

It is also convenient when the population is very

large or spread over a wide geographic area.
For example,
instead of randomly selecting from
all fifth graders in a large school district, you
could randomly select fifth-grade classrooms
and include all the students in each classroom.

Cluster sampling usually involves less time and

expense and is generally more convenient than
either simple random sampling or stratified
sampling.
Example
If the population for your quantitative study
were 10th-grade biology students, it would be
very unlikely that you would obtain
administrative approval to randomly select and
remove a few students from many classrooms
for your study.
You would have a much better chance of
securing permission if you planned to study
several intact classrooms.
 Steps in Cluster Sampling

The steps in cluster sampling are not very

different from those in random sampling.

The major difference, of course, is that groups

(i.e., clusters), not individuals, are randomly
selected. Cluster sampling involves the following
steps:
1. Identify and define the population.
2. Determine the desired sample size.
3. Identify and define a logical cluster (e.g.,
hospital, school, city block)
4. List all clusters (or obtain a list) that make up
the population of clusters.
5. Estimate the average number of population
members per cluster.
6. Randomly select the needed number of
clusters, using a table of random numbers.
7. Include in your study all population members
in each selected cluster.
Cluster sampling can be carried out in stages,
involving selection of clusters within clusters. This
process is called multistage sampling.

For example
To sample classrooms for a study, a researcher can
first sample from districts in a state, then schools
in the district, and then classrooms in the schools.
Simply the difference is that stratified sampling
is to choose samples from a level or strata, such
as from different age groups (20-25, 26-30, 31-
35, 36-40), gender (male and female), education
(elementary and upper)
whereas cluster sampling is to choose samples
from units that could be based on, such as cities
and districts.
Additionally, cluster sampling is advantageous
for educational researchers because they
frequently cannot select and assign individual
participants, as they may like.
 Systematic Sampling

Systematic sampling is not used very often, but

in some instances, it is the only feasible way to
select a sample. Systematic sampling is sampling
in which every Kth individual is selected from a
list. The list includes all the individuals in the
population, and K is a variable determined by
dividing the number of individuals on the list by
the number of subjects desired for the sample.
If K = 4, selection involves taking every 4th
name; if K = 10, every 10th name is taken, and
so forth. The major difference between
systematic sampling and the other types of
sampling is that all members of the population
do not have an independent chance of selection
for the sample. After the first name is selected,
all the rest of the individuals to be included in
the sample are automatically determined.
 Steps in Systematic Sampling.

1. Identify and define the population.

2. Determine the desired sample size.
3. Obtain a list of the population.
4. Determine K by dividing the size of the
population by the desired sample size.
5. Start at some random place in the
population list. Close your eyes and stick
your finger on a name.
6. Starting at that point, take every Kth name
on the list until the desired sample size is
reached.
7. If the end of the list is reached before the
desired sample is reached, go back to the top
of the list.
 General rules are helpful in determining
sample size:

The larger the population size, the smaller the percentage

of the population required to get a representative sample.

■ For smaller populations, say, N 100 or fewer, there is

little point in sampling; survey the entire population.

■ If the population size is around 500 (give or take 100),

50% should be sampled.

■ If the population size is around 1,500, 20%

should be sampled.