RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

MODULE 3 – PART D
SAMPLING DESIGN
 Selection of Elements
• Population
Total collection of elements on which we wish
to make some inferences
• Population Element
Subject on which measurement is being
taken
• Sampling
Selection of some elements so as to draw
conclusions about the population
• Census
Count of all elements in a population.
 Why Sample?
• Lower cost
• Greater Accuracy of results
• Greater speed of data collection
• Availability of population elements.
 What is a Good Sample?
• Accuracy: absence of bias
• Precision (Sampling error)
Types of Sampling Designs

• Probability

• Nonprobability
 Steps in Sampling Design
• What is the relevant population?
• What are the parameters of interest?
• What is the sampling frame?
• What is the type of sample?
• What size sample is needed?
• How much will it cost?
 Population Vs Sample
∀µ __
• Mean X

• Proportion ∀π p

• Variance ∀ σ2 s2

• Std. deviation ∀σ s

• Size • N n
 Probability Sampling Designs
• Simple random
• Systematic
• Stratified
– Proportionate
– Disproportionate
• Cluster (Area) (Single or Multi-stage)
• Sequential / Double (2-phase) /
Multiphase
 ADVANTAGES
AND
LIMITATIONS ***
 Simple Random Sampling
(SRS)
• Strengths
– Easily understood
– Results projectable
• Weaknesses
– Difficult to construct sampling frame
– Expensive
– Lower precision
– No assurance of representativeness.
 Systematic
Sampling
• Strengths
– Can increase representativeness
– Easier to implement than SRS
– Sampling frame not necessary
• Weaknesses
– Can decrease
representativeness.
 Stratified Sampling
• Strengths
– Includes all important substations
– Precision
• Weaknesses
– Difficult to select relevant
stratification variables
– Not feasible to stratify on many
variables
– Expensive.
 Cluster Sampling
• Strengths
– Easy to implement
– Cost effective
• Weaknesses
– Imprecise
– Difficult to compute and interpret
results.
 Nonprobability Sampling
Reasons to use
• Procedure satisfactorily meets the
sampling objectives
• Lower Cost
• Limited Time
• Not as much human error as selecting
a completely random sample
• Total list population not available
 Nonprobability Sampling
• Convenience Sampling
• Purposive Sampling (Judgement,
Deliberate)
• Quota Sampling
• Snowball Sampling
 ADVANTAGES
AND
LIMITATIONS ***
 Convenience Sampling
• Strengths
– Least expensive
– Least time consuming
– Most convenient
• Weaknesses
– Selection bias
– Sample not representative
– Not recommended for descriptive or
causal research.
 Judgemental Sampling
• Strengths
– Low cost
– Not time consuming
– Convenient
• Weaknesses
– Does not allow generalisation
– Subjective.
 Quota Sampling
• Strengths
– Sample can be controlled for certain
characteristics
• Weaknesses
– Selection bias
– No assurance of representativeness.
 Snowball Sampling
• Strengths
– Can estimate rare characteristics
• Weaknesses
– Time consuming.
 Sample Size ***

• When population can be

quantified (Finite)
• When population cannot be
quantified (Infinite)
 Infinite Population
n = σ 2.z2
D2
D = +/- 5 (LOS = 5%) (also E)
CL = 95%
z = 1.96
σ = Standard Deviation
n = estimated sample size
 Finite Population
n= σ 2. z2. N
(N-1).D2 + σ 2. z2
D = +/- 5 (LOS = 5%) (also E)
Acceptable Error
CL = 95%
z = 1.96 Standard variance
σ = Standard Deviation of population
n = Estimated sample size
N = Size of Population
 Sample Size
Determination ***
1. Nature Universe (Dispersion Factor)
2. Number of Classes Proposed
3. Nature of Study
4. Type of Sampling
5. Standard of accuracy and acceptable
confidence level
6. Availability of finance
7. Other considerations.
 Nature of
Universe
• Homogeneous items – Small sample
• Heterogeneous items – Large sample.
No. of Classes Proposed

• Many groups and sub groups

– Large sample.
 Nature of Study
• Items are intensively and continuously
studied / Technical surveys – Small
sample
• General survey – Large sample.
 Type of Sampling
• Small Random sample better than large
badly selected sample.
 Standard of Accuracy &
Acceptable Confidence Level

• Higher Accuracy – Large sample.

• If accuracy is doubled – sample size is
increased fourfold.
 Other Considerations
• Nature of units
• Size of population
• Size of questionnaire
• Availability of trained investigators
• Time available for completion.