Sampling method

and sample size

determination
Mekdes W. (MPH)

March, 2024

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Objective

• At the end of this session you are expected to:

Identify probability sampling method

Identify non-probability sampling method

Distinguish errors in sampling

 understand sample size determination

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Terminologies

• Sampling universe: population from which we are sampling.

• Sampling frame: the list of all units in the reference population, from
which the sample is to be picked.

• Sampling unit: the unit selected during the process of sampling.

• Sampling: The process of drawing a subset of people from a

population so that results with that subset may be generalized to the
population

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Sampling technique

• When you conduct research about a group of people, it’s

rarely possible to collect data from every person in that
group. Instead, you select a sample.

• The sample is the group of individuals who will actually

participate in the study.

• To draw valid conclusions from your results, you have to

carefully decide how you will select a sample that is
representative of the group as a whole. This is called
a sampling method.

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Why sample?
• The population of interest is usually too large to
attempt to survey all of its members.

• A carefully chosen sample can be used to represent the

population.

• The sample reflects the characteristics of the

population from which it is drawn.

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Steps in sampling
1. Define population (N) to be sampled

2. Definition of the sampling unit

3. Determine sample size (n)

4. Choice of sampling method

5. Control for bias and random error

6. Select sample
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Basic conditions in sampling process
• Sample must be well chosen: – Representativeness
• Sample must be sufficiently large: – Minimizes sampling
variation
• There must be adequate coverage of the sample: –
Information should be obtained from almost all
 Two keys
1. Selecting the right people
 Have to be selected scientifically so that they are representative of the
population
2. Selecting the right number of the right people
 To minimize sampling errors I.e. choosing the wrong people by chance

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 Basic terms
A population is a group of individuals persons, objects, or
items from which samples are taken for measurement.
Reference population (or target population): the population
of interest to whom the researchers would like to make
generalizations.
Source population: is the sub set of target population where
samples are drawn.
Study population: the group that is studied, either in total or
by selecting a sample of its members
Study unit: the units on which information will be collected:
persons, families, housing units, health facilities, schools

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9
 Study subjects
Hierarchy of sampling
The actual
participants in
the study
Sample
Subjects who are
selected

Sampling Frame
The list of potential subjects
from which the sample is
drawn

Source population
The Population from whom the study
subjects would be obtained

Target population
The population to whom the results would be 10
Advantage of sampling

REDUCED COST: ↓demands on resources

 GREATER ACCURACY: lead to better accuracy of
collecting data.
GREATER SPEED: data collected & summarized
quickly.
FEASIBILITY: the only feasible method of collecting
data

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Drawback of sampling

There is always a sampling error.

Sampling may create a feeling of discrimination
with in the population.
Sampling may be inadvisable where every unit in
the population is legally required to have a record.

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 Characteristics of Good
Samples
1. Representation
• Sample surveys are almost never conducted for the purposes
of describing the particular sample under study. Rather they
are conducted for purposes of understanding the larger
population from which the sample was initially selected

• A great deal of work has been done over the years in

developing sampling methods that provide representative
samples for the general population.

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3 factors that influence sample representativeness
• Sampling procedure
• Sample size
• Participation (response)

When might you sample the entire population?

• When your population is very small
• When you have extensive resources
• When you don’t expect a very high response
2.Accessible
3.Low cost

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GOAL OF STATISTICS
Types of sampling method

• There are two primary types of sampling methods.

1. Probability sampling is a sampling method that involves

randomly selecting a sample, or a part of the population.

• It is also sometimes called random sampling.

• A sample is obtained in a way that ensures every member of

the population to have a known, non-zero probability of
being included in the sample.

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Cont’d…
2. Non-probability sampling is a sampling method where
every item has an unknown chance of being selected

• It uses non-random criteria like the availability, geographical

proximity, or expert knowledge of the individuals you want
to research in order to answer a research question.

• Used when a sampling frame does not exist

• No random selection (unrepresentative)

• Assumption that there is an even distribution of a

characteristic of interest within the population
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Types of sampling

• Probability (Random) Samples

• Simple random sample
• Systematic random sample
• Stratified random sample
• Multistage sample
• Multiphase sample
• Cluster sample
• Non-Probability Samples
• Convenience sample
• Purposive sample
• Quota
• snowball

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1.Simple random sampling
• Involves random selection
• Most common form of probability sampling.
• To use a SRS method:
– Make a numbered list of all the units in the population
(sampling frame)
– Each unit should be numbered from 1 to N (where N is
the size of the population)
- Decide on the size of sample
– Select the required number.

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Cont’d…

• Methods of drawing simple random

1. Fish bowl draw (If the total population is small)
2. A table of random numbers
3. Computer programs

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Cont’d…
Random number table
• It is a table of random numbers constructed by a process
that

1. In any position in the table, each of the numbers 0 through

9 has a probability 1/10 of occurring.

2. The occurrence of any number in one part of the table is

independent of the occurrence of any number in any other
part of the table

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22
 SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING

25 samples are selected from sampling

population of 256 individuals
Source: Kumar (1996) 23
Limitation of SRS
•Minority subgroups of interest in population
may not be present in the sample in sufficient
numbers for study
• It is costly to conduct

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2. Systematic random sampling

• If researcher wants to select a fixed size sample.

In this case, it is first necessary to know the whole
population size from which the sample is being selected.

• The appropriate sampling interval, I, is then calculated by

dividing population size, N, by required sample size, n, as
follows:
k=(population size/sample size).
K=N/n

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Cont’d…

• It is important that the starting point is not automatically the

first in the list, but is instead randomly chosen from within
the first to the K element in the list
th

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3. Stratified sampling
• It is done when the population is known to have
heterogeneity with regard to some factors and those factors
are used for stratification

• Using stratified sampling, the population is divided into

homogeneous, mutually exclusive groups called strata
(e.g., age, sex, province of residence, income, etc)

• A separate sample is taken independently from each

stratum.

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 Cont’d…

• Divided into 2 types:

1) Proportionate STRS

2) Disproportionate STRS

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• In the case of Proportionate STRS
- Determine the proportionof each stratum
in the study population
- p = elements (#) in each stratum
total pop. size
• Determine the number of elements to
be selected from each stratum = (n) x
(p)
• Select the required number of elements from
each stratum with SRS technique.
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• In the case of Disproportionate STRS
-allocate equal sample size to each stratum
- Determine the number of element to be
selected from each stratum = Sample size (n)
No. of strata (k)

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The advantage of stratified random sampling is that it
increases the likelihood of representation, especially if
the sample size is small

Used for sampling when we want to ensure that

minority populations (in number) are adequately
represented in the sample

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4.Cluster sampling
• It is selection of groups of study units (clusters) instead of
the selection of study units individually

• The sampling unit is a cluster, and sampling frame is a list of

these clusters

• The clusters should be homogeneous, unlike stratified

sampling whereby the strata are heterogeneous

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Cont’d…

Cluster samples are generally used if:

• No list of the population exists.
• Well-defined clusters, which will often be
geographic areas exist.
• A reasonable estimate of the number of elements in
each level of clustering can be made.
• Often the total sample size must be fairly large to
enable cluster sampling to be used effectively.

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Steps in cluster sampling
1. Divide the population into groups or clusters
2. A number of clusters are selected randomly to represent
the total population, and then all units within selected
clusters are included in the sample.
3. No units from non-selected clusters are included in the
sample.
4. Differs from stratified sampling, where some units are
selected from each group.

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5. Multi-stage sampling
• Similar to the cluster sampling, except that it involves picking
a sample from within each chosen cluster, rather than
including all units in the cluster.

• This method is appropriate when the reference population is

large and widely scattered

• This type of sampling requires at least two stages.

• The sampling unit at the first stage is primary sampling unit

(PSU) and the second stage is the secondary sampling unit
(SSU) and so on

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Advantages
• No need to have a list of all units in the population.
• Saves a great amount of time and effort

Disadvantages
• More information is needed in this type of sampling, which
may not be available
• Error will be multiplied
• Provide less precise estimation

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2. Non-probability sampling

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1. Convenience sampling
• Sometimes known as grab or opportunity sampling
or accidental or haphazard sampling.
• For convenience, the study units that are available
at the time of data collection are selected
• Many clinic-based studies

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2.Quota sampling
• is done until a specific number of units (quotas) for
different categories of populations have been
selected.
• Similar to stratified but does not involve random
selection
• It is based on the researcher’s judgment

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3. Purposive sampling
• Often used in qualitative studies( such as those conducting
Focus Group Discussion and In-depth interview )

• Investigator assumes that they are typical of the study

population – People who are assumed to provide rich
information are selected

• Eg.: In-depth interviews of Trauma Clinic coordinator to

understand the issues of drug and supply shortage in the
hospital

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4. Snow ball sampling
• Also called chain referral sampling

• People who are enrolled in the study are asked to name

others who fulfill the selection criteria using their networks
and contacts Or one case identifies others of his/her kinds

• Useful for identifying hard-to-find individuals or marginalized

populations

• Eg.: The researcher wants to study HIV prevalence in People

Who Inject Drugs (PWID). They are mostly hidden
population.

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Errors in sampling
1.Sampling error – Random error
The uncertainty associated with an estimate that is
based on data gathered from a sample of the
population rather than the full population is known
as sampling error.
It is an error arising from the sampling process
itself
Sampling error can be minimized by increasing the
size of the sample.
Can not be avoided or totally eliminated

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2.Non-sampling error (Bias)
It is a type of systematic error in the design or
conduct of a sampling procedure which results in
distortion of the sample, so that it is no longer
representative of the reference population.

We can eliminate or reduce the non-sampling error

(bias) by careful design of the sampling procedure.

It can occur whether the total study population or a

sample is being used.

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Sample size determination

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• A sample size determination is the act of choosing the
number of observations or replicates to include in a
statistical sample.

• The sample size is an important feature of any

empirical study in which the goal is to make inferences
about a population from a sample

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 Sample Size Determination

Determining the sample size for a study is a crucial component

of study to include sufficient numbers of subjects so that
statistically significant results can be detected.

"How large a sample do I need?“

The answer will depend on the aims, nature and scope of the
study and on the expected result. All of which should be carefully
considered at the planning stage.

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Basic things in sample size
determination
• The more heterogeneous a population is, the larger
the sample needs to be

• In general, the larger the sample size (selected with

the use of probability techniques) the better.

• With nonprobability sampling, generalization is

difficult.

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Sample……

n
o If sample (“ ”) is

 Large
 Increase accuracy
 Costy / complex
Take
Optimum
 Small sample
o Decrease accuracy
o Less costy

How ?

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Factors to determine sample size
• Size of population
• Resources: subjects, financial, manpower
• Method of sampling: random, stratified
• Degree of difference to be detected
• Degree of Accuracy (or errors)
- Type I error (alpha) p<0.05
- Type II error (beta) less than 0.2 (20%)
- Power of the test : more than 0.8 (80%)
• Statistical Formulae
• Dropout rate, non-compliance to treatment

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Steps in Estimating Sample Size

1. Identify major study variable and determine type of

estimate
2. Indicate expected frequency of factor of interest
• A pilot,
• from previous studies and
• if impossible to come with a better estimate (e.g., taking p = 0.5 and
getting the maximum)
3. Decide on desired precision of the estimate
4. Decide on acceptable risk that estimate will fall outside
its real population value

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Steps in Estimating Sample Size...
5. Adjust for population size
6. Adjust for estimated design effect
7. Adjust for expected response rate

• Tips:
• Consider calculating size for each (specific) objectives!
• Consider the number of variables in your research

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 Sample size for single population mean

This is the condition in which the research question is about mean.

Standard deviation () of the population: It is rare that a researcher
knows the exact standard deviation of the population.
Typically, the standard deviation of the population is estimated:
from the results of a previous survey,
from a pilot study,
from secondary data,
from judgment of the researcher.

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Maximum acceptable difference (d or w): This is the maximum
amount of error that you are willing to accept.
Desired confidence level (Z/2 ) : is your level of certainty that
the sample mean does not differ from the true population mean by
more than the maximum acceptable difference. Commonly we use
a 95% confidence level.
Then the sample size determination formula for single population
mean is defined by:

z22   2
n 
w2
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Sample Size for Single Population Proportion

This is the situation in which the variable of interest

is categorical.
Best estimate of population proportion of the variable
of interest :
The possible source of this proportion are:
 from the results of a previous study,
item from a pilot study,
item judgment of the researcher.
item Simply taking 50% if the research is not
previously conducted

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Then the formula for the sample size of single population proportion is defined
as:

z22 * p (1  p )
n 2
w
Where α = the level of significance which can be obtained as 1- confidence level.
P = best estimate of population proportions
W = maximum acceptable difference
z the value under standard normal table for the given value of confidence level

2

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Example

1. One of MPH student want to conduct a research on the

prevalence of ANC utilization of mothers in DABAT district.
Given that the prevalence from the previous study found to be
45.7% , what will be the sample size he should take to address
his objective?( Use 95%CI, 5% margin of error)

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 Example 1
Solution:
Margin of error d= 5%
A confidence level of 95% will give the value of as Zα/2=1.96.
Then using the formula :

2 2
 Z  P (1  P )  Z 
 0.05  0.457 (1  0.457 )
n  2 
2
 2 

W 0.05 2


1.96  0.457(0.543)
2

0.05 2
382

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 Some Considerations

• The final sample size will be corrected for

 Nonresponse, lost to follow up, lack of compliance and so on
 Consider the total size of the population (N): if N <10,000 then we
need correction the formula which is defined by
no
nf 
n
1 o
N

• Where nf = final sample size, no = sample size from the

above formula and N total population.
 Take the design effect in to account if needed

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Sample size for case control
study

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Sample size in cohort study

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Incorrect sample size will lead to

o Wrong conclusions

o Poor quality research (Errors)

o Waste of resources

o Loss of money

o Ethical problems

o Delay in completion

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Any question??

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T hank you

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