SAMPLING DESIGN

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What is sampling ?

In simple words, sampling consists of

obtaining information from a portion of a
larger group or an universe. Elements are
selected in a manner that they yield almost
all information about the whole universe, if
and when selected according to some
scientific principles and procedures.
Advantages of sampling
Helps to collect vital information more quickly and it
helps to make estimates of the characteristics of the
total population in a shorter time
Sampling cuts costs. Much of time and money is saved at
each stage of research
Sampling techniques often increases the accuracy of the
data. With small samples it become easier to check the
accuracy of the data.
From the administrative point of view also sampling
become easier – problem of hiring the staff, task of
training and supervising will become easier
Disadvantages of sampling
Sampling is not flexible in a situation where
knowledge about each unit is needed. E.g. estimation
of national income for the current year.
Reliability of information depends upon the
representativeness of the sample of the total
population
Most of the sampling techniques require the service of
a sampling experts or statisticians.
 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
Probability sampling Non-probability sampling
techniques techniques

Simple random sampling Accidental samples

Stratified random Quota samples

sampling
Purposive samples
Systematic sampling
Simple random sampling :

Random sampling mean, the arrangement of

conditions in such a manner that every item of the
whole universe from which we are to select the sample
shall have the same chance of being selected as any
other item.

Among all the probability sampling procedures random

sampling is the most basic and least complicated.
Steps of a simple random sampling

It involves listing all the elements in the population

and assigning them consecutive numbers from 1 to n
Deciding upon the desired sample size
Using any method of selection, a certain number of
elements from the list of elements 1 to n is selected
One can interview the people or measure the item
designated by the sample elements
Methods of drawing sample in
Random Method
Lottery method :
here the no of all the elements in the
universe are written on different pieces of papers of
equal size, shape and colour which are then shuffled
thoroughly . Then the tickets are drawn at random ,
their numbers noted and corresponding individuals or
objects are studied. The number of tickets drawn are
equal to the sample size required. The process is thus
designed to maintain objectivity and avoid any type of
preference or bias towards any one unit.
Methods of drawing sample in
Random Method
Tippet’s numbers :
Tippet developed a list of 10,400set
of numbers randomly, each set being four digits. These
numbers were written on several pages in
unsystematic order.
Now if we want to select a sample of 30 students from a
population of 5000 students of Tamil Nadu, who
matriculated this year. For the purpose of selection
through Tippet’s method we have to follow the steps
given below
Prepare a complete list of universe. Every name has to
be written in systematic order. Number it; in this case
we can take the roll number of students.
Select any 30 numbers from any page of Tippet’s list
systematically. We can pick up the first two or first
three or last two or last three digits of each of the 30
sets selected from the Tippet’s list. Comparing our
prepared list with these selected list we can select
those persons who carry the same number.
 Suppose for the universe of 5000 students we decide to make
selection on the basis of first three digits then the selection
process can be,
237 0 748 3
056 0 524 6
275 4 914 3
664 1 399 1
952 4 154 5
Then the students carrying the numbers like 237,056,275,..etc
would come under the sample.
Grid method :
This method is applied in selection of areas.
For example we have to select any number of districts from
Indian states. For selection first a map of whole area is
prepared. The area is often divided into blocks. A
transparent plate is made equivalent to the size of the map
that consists of several squared holes in it which carry
different numbers. By random sampling method it is
decided to which numbers are to be included in the
sample. Then the grid is placed over the map and the areas
that come under the holes carrying selected numbers are
included in the sample.
Systematic sampling Method
1. Prepare a list of all the elements in the universe and number
them. This list can be according to alphabetical order, as in
records etc.
2. Then from the list, every third/every 8th / or any other number
in the like manner can be selected.

For this method, population needs to be homogeneous. This

method is frequently used, because it is simple, direct and
inexpensive. Also known as patterned, serial or chain sampling.
Stratified Random Sampling Method

When the population is divided into different stratas or

groups and then samples are selected from each
stratum by simple random sampling procedure, we call
it as stratified random sampling.
Primary purpose of the stratified sampling method is to
increase the representativeness of the sample without
increasing the size of the sample on the basis of having
greater knowledge of the population characteristics.
Steps :
According to the nature of the problem relevant criteria are
selected for stratification. The possible stratifying criteria
are age, sex, family, income, no. of years of education,
occupation, religion, race, place of residence and so on.
Next step is to place every member of the population into
its proper stratum as determined by the criteria used for
stratification.
Elements are then selected from each stratum through
simple random sampling method. An estimate is made for
each stratum separately. These estimates are combined to
provide an estimate for the entire population.
Types of Stratified Sampling
Disproportionate stratified sampling:
Also known as ‘equal size stratified
sampling’. In this method an equal no. of cases are
selected from each stratum, irrespective of the size of
the stratum in the universe.
Proportionate stratified sampling:
Here the cases are drawn from each
stratum in the same proportion as they occur in the
universe. Therefore, in this method the no. of samples to
be drawn varies from stratum to stratum according to
their size.
Types of Stratified Sampling
To apply the proportionate stratified sampling method we need
to have a list of all the stratums. We would also need to know
the proportionate size in the total population. Then we would
select a given percentage of people from each stratum. Since
the size of the stratums vary the no of persons coming from
each stratum in the sample on the basis of selection of a given
percentage of people will also vary.
Optimum allocation stratified sampling:
In this design the object is to allocate parts of the
total sample size to the various sample strata so that the strata
with the larger variances receive the larger no of sample cases.
Non-probability Sampling
A Non-Probability sampling is one in which one can not
estimate beforehand the probability of each element
being included in the sample. Also that it does not
assure that every element has a chance of being
included. The major forms of non-probability samples
are
1. Accidental samples
2. Quota samples
3. Purposive samples
Accidental samples
It means selecting the units on the basis of easy
approaches. Here one selects samples that fall to hand
easily. Suppose one is studying political socialization
and political participation among the university and
college students of Patna University and that his
sample size in 100. He would go to the University
campus and would select the first 100 students whom
he happen to meet, whether in the class room, or in
the student’s common room or in the football field.
Such type of sampling is easy to do, and saves time and
money. But the chance of bias are also great.
Quota sampling
In the quota sampling the interviewers are instructed to
interview a specified no of persons from each category. In
studying peoples status, living conditions, preference,
opinions, attitudes, etc. the relevant basis of stratification
usually used are: age, sex, education, place of residence,
socio-economic status, religion and so on. The required no
of elements from each category are determined in the office
ahead of time according to time according to the no of
elements in each category. Thus, an interviewer would need
to contact a specified no of men and specified no of women,
a certain no of persons from different age categories, from
different religious or racial groups and so on.
Purposive Sampling
In purposive sample one picks up the cases that are
considered to be typical of the population in which one
is interested. The cases are judged as typical on the basis
of the needs of the researcher. Since the selection of
elements is based upon the judgment of the researcher,
the purposive sampling is called judgment sample. The
researcher tries his sample to match the universe in
some of the important known characteristics. Defect
with this method is that the researcher can easily make
error in judging as to which cases are typical.
Reference

Devendra Takur, Research Methodology in Social

Sciences, Deep & Deep Publications (1993), ch:5