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Sampling methodologies







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Sampling
It may be defined as a process of selecting units that may be people, organizations etc, from a larger
whole i.e. from a population of interest, so that by studying the sample we may come up with general
characteristics of the entire population under consideration.
Types of sampling methods:






Probability sampling
Probability sampling is a type of sampling that includes random selection. And in order to achieve
random selection, it must be made sure that different units of population have equal probability of
being chosen.
Some relevant terms:
N = the number of cases in the sampling frame
n = the number of cases in the sample
f = n/N = the sampling fraction
I] Simple Random Sampling
It is the simplest type of probability sampling, wherein the probability of an element getting selected is
directly proportional to its frequency. It is equivalent to say that every element has the same probability
of getting chosen if they have the same frequency. For example in a random number generator each
element has the same frequency and hence the same probability i.e. f=n/N.
It may be the simplest method but it is not considered as the statistically efficient.



Sampling
Probabilistic
sampling
Non probability
sampling


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II] Systematic Random sampling:
In systematic sampling, we first arrange the elements in certain systematic order. The selection of an
element for sampling is done at regular interval, say k. the main difference between simple random and
this method is that the probability of the selection of elements may not be same for the elements of
same frequency.
III] Stratified Sampling:
The first step of this method includes dividing the entire population into homogenous subgroups. The
sampling process is then applied on it based on certain criteria. The major advantage of this method is
that, it represents small subgroups rather than the entire population. Moreover, it helps to apply
different sampling criteria on different subgroups.
IV] Cluster Sampling:
Cluster sampling starts with dividing the entire population in clusters generally based on geographical
boundaries. These clusters are than randomly sampled and measure all the units in this sampled
cluster.
V] Multistage Sampling:
As its name suggests, the characteristics of multistage sampling includes, firstly use of different sampling
methodologies and secondly use of different stages of sampling. For example, we might use random
sampling in the first stage and stratified sampling in the second stage. These stages might continue until
a granular level of desired sample is achieved.
Non Probability Sampling:
The major difference between probability and non probability sampling is that, in non probability there
might be some elements that may have a zero chance of getting selected. This is because it is difficult to
accurately calculate the probability of an element; hence it might be zero or more than zero. These
methodologies may be broadly classified into purposive and accidental.
I] Accidental or convenient Sampling:
In this method the sampler picks up the elements which are convenient or close to him/her. But it might
be the case that these elements might not represent the entire population. A basic example would be
that when a sampler goes out to take a survey of people and selects the ones who he/she finds first or
who are close to him/her.
II] Purposive or Judgmental sampling:
In this method the elements or samples selected for sampling largely depends on samplers experience
and his/her judgment. The sampler decides whether a particular sample should be included or not based
on a particular purpose that the sampler has in his mind.


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III] Voluntary Sampling:
As the name suggests, it includes picking up of elements or samples which are voluntarily ready for
participation. It helps in reducing the effort s of searching and selecting of samples, on the other hand it
also may not be considered accurate because these samples might not represent the entire population.
It is mostly used in research polls.
IV] Snowball sampling:
It begins with selecting of the sample which fulfills the certain criteria. After that, these samples are
asked to refer or recommend new samples which might fulfill the criteria and this procedure goes on
until the desired samples are achieved. Hence it resembles formation of a snowball.
References:
http://www.wyzant.com/help/math/statistics_and_probability/introduction/sampling
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/sampprob.php