TUTORIAL 6

QUESTIONS

1. Define sampling in a research study?

Sampling is the process of selecting a sufficient number of participants from a population so

that by studying the sample and understanding the characteristics of the sample subjects it
would be possible to generalize the characteristics of the population. This is equally
important whether the researcher is planning to use interview, questionnaires, observation
or some other methods to collect data.

2. A smartphone manufacturer is conducting research regarding how smartphones are

used in business. Apply the stages the researcher should go through in the selection
of a sample for this research study.

The smartphone manufacturer can go through probability sampling. This is more

commonly with survey research strategies where you need to make inferences from
your sample about a population to answer your research question(s) and to meet
your objectives. The process of probability sampling can be divided into four stages:
Firstly, identify a suitable sampling frame based on your research question(s) and
objectives. Secondly, decide on a suitable sample size. Thirdly, Select the most
appropriate sampling technique and select the sample. Finally, Check that the
sample is representative of the population.

3. Name and describe the types of nonprobability sampling.

Convenience: The researcher uses the most convenient sample or economical sample units.
Every low cost, extensively used. No need for list of population. Unrepresentative samples
likely; random sampling error estimates cannot be made; projecting data beyond sample is
relatively risky.

Judgement: An expert or experienced researcher selects the sample to fulfill a purpose,

such as ensuring that all members have a certain characteristic. Moderate cost, average
use. Useful for certain types of forecasting; sample guaranteed to meet a specific objective.
Bias due to expert’s beliefs may make sample unrepresentative; projecting data beyond
sample is risky.

Quota: The researcher classifies the population by pertinent properties, determines the
desired proportion to sample from each class, and fixes quotas for each interviewer.
Moderate cost, very extensively used. Introduces some stratification of population; requires
no list of population. Introduces bias in researcher’s classification of subjects; non-random
selection within classes means error from population cannot be estimated; projecting data
beyond sample is risky.
Snowball: Initial respondents are selected by probability samples; additional respondents
are obtained by referral from initial respondents. Low cost, used in special situation. Useful
in locating members of rare population. High bias because sample units are not
independent; projecting data beyond sample is risky.

4. Name and describe the types of probability sampling.

Simple random: The researcher assigns each member of the sampling frame a number, and
then selects sample units by random method. High cost, moderately used in practice (most
common in random digit dialing and with computerized sampling frames). Only minimal
advance knowledge of population needed; easy to analyze data and compute error

Systematic: The researcher uses natural ordering or the order of sampling frame, selects an
arbitrary starting point and then selects items at a reselected interval. Moderate cost,
moderately used. Simple to draw sample, easy to check. If sampling interval is related to
periodic ordering of the population, may introduce increased variability

Stratified: The researcher divides the population into groups and randomly selects
subsamples from each group. Variations include proportional, disproportional and optimal
allocation of subsample sizes. High cost, moderately used. Ensure representation of all
groups in sample; characteristics of each stratum can be estimated and comparisons made
reduces variability for same sample size. Requires accurate information on proportion in
each stratum, if stratified lists are not already available, they can be costly to prepare

Cluster: The researcher selects sampling units at random, then does a complete observation
of all units or draws a probability sample in the group. Low cost, frequently used. If cluster
geographically defined, yields lowest field cost; requires listing of all clusters, but of
individuals only within clusters; can estimate characteristics of clusters as well as of
population. Larger error for comparable size than with other probability samples, researcher
must be able to assign population members to unique cluster or else duplication or omission
of individuals will result.

Multistage: Progressively smaller areas are selected in each stage by some combination of
the first four techniques. High cost, frequently used, especially in nationwide surveys
The advantages and disadvantage both are same which is it depends on techniques
combined.