BUSINESS RESEARCH

ACTIVITY

ROSAN D. SUAN BSBA FM3A

Question: What is sample/sampling is all about ?

I have learned that in research design, population and sampling are two important terms. A
sample is a subset of the population. The sample size is the number of individuals in a sample.
The more representative the sample of the population, the more confident the researcher can be
in the quality of the results. The overall goal of all statistics and study designs is to investigate
relationships between events, specifically between exposure and outcomes, causes and effects, or
dependent and independent variables. If we conduct a process of the unit of analysis may be a
person, group, organization, country, object, or any other entity that you wish to draw scientific
inferences about.

Choosing a sample from the sampling frame using a well-defined sampling technique. Sampling
techniques can be grouped into two broad categories: probability (random) sampling and non-
probability sampling. In Probability sampling methods are those methods where every unit in
the population has a chance of being selected to be in the sample, can calculate the probability
and has element of randomness allow us to use inferential statistics and descriptive statistics, but
inferential statistics are the most powerful. While the non-probability sampling is no chance of
being selected to be in sample, can’t calculate the probability and no element of randomness as a
result, we are unable to use inferential statistics; however, we can still perform descriptive
statistics such as reporting on the median, interquartile range, and standard deviation.

We have THREE probability sampling methods:

1. Simple Random sampling, using this method, each unit has an equal chance of being
selected.

2. Systematic Random Sampling, it is quite similar to random sampling and is also called the
‘Nth’ method. You begin with a list of the names of members in the population in random order.

3. Cluster sampling, a sampling technique where researchers divide the population into multiple
groups (clusters) for research. Researchers then select random groups with a simple random or
systematic random sampling technique for data collection and data analysis.

4. Stratified Random sampling, this sampling method is used when you want to ensure that
subjects with certain characteristics are included in the sample studied.

In Non-probability sampling methods there also have three methods which are:
1) Quota sampling, when using this method, you must be confident that the chosen sample is
truly representative of the population. Obviously, you should state clearly the criteria for your
selection of the sample; especially when you make generalizations of the results to the
population.

2) Purposive Sampling, this sampling is usually used when the population is small (such as in
case study research) and when the main purpose is to select cases that are particularly
informative. It is very useful in the early stages of an exploratory study. The main weakness of
this technique is that the sample may have characteristics which differ from population
characteristics.

3) Convenience sampling, in this sampling technique, researchers has the freedom to choose
whomever they find. You simply sample people who are easy to survey. The sample is chosen
rather ‘haphazardly’ until the required sample size is met. It is less expensive and easy to
conduct; and is considered the most useful procedure to test ideas in exploratory research.

Overall the Sampling methods help a lot in research. It is one of the most important factors
which determine the accuracy of your research/survey result. If anything goes wrong with your
sample then it will be directly reflected in the final result. There are lot of techniques which help
us to gather sample depending upon the need and situation.