ASIAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION COLLEGE

GRADUATE SCHOOL
TACLOBAN CITY

COURSE: MAED
INSTRUCTOR: DR. VIOLETA B. SUYOM
SUBJECT: METHODS OF RESEARCH
TOPICS: RANDOM SAMPLING & SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
REPORTER: MARY ROSE N. CORNITO

RANDOM SAMPLING
 Random sampling, or probability sampling, is a sampling method that allows for
the randomization of sample selection, i.e., each sample has the same probability
as other samples to be selected to serve as a representation of an entire
population.
 Random sampling is considered one of the most popular and simple data
collection methods in research fields (probability and statistics, mathematics,
etc.). It allows for unbiased data collection, which lets studies arrive at unbiased
conclusions.

Types of Random Sampling Methods

There are four primary, random (probability) sampling methods. These methods are:
 
1. Simple random sampling
 Simple random sampling is the randomized selection of a small segment of
individuals or members from a whole population. It provides each individual or
member of a population with an equal and fair probability of being chosen. The
simple random sampling method is one of the most convenient and simple sample
selection techniques.
 
2. Systematic sampling
 Systematic sampling is the selection of specific individuals or members from an
entire population. The selection often follows a predetermined interval (k). The
 systematic sampling method is comparable to the simple random sampling
method; however, it is less complicated to conduct.
 
3. Stratified sampling
 Stratified sampling, which includes the partitioning of a population into
subclasses with notable distinctions and variances. The stratified sampling
method is useful, as it allows the researcher to make more reliable and informed
conclusions by confirming that each respective subclass has been adequately
represented in the selected sample.
 
4. Cluster sampling
 Cluster sampling, which, similar to the stratified sampling method, includes
dividing a population into subclasses. Each of the subclasses should portray
comparable characteristics to the entire selected sample. This method entails the
random selection of a whole subclass, as opposed to the sampling of members
from each subclass. This method is ideal for studies that involve widely spread
populations.
 
Probability (Random) Sampling vs. Non-Probability Sampling
 Probability – or random sampling – is the random selection of sample participants
to derive conclusions and assumptions about an entire population. On the other
hand, non-probability sampling is the selection of sample participants based on
specified criteria or suitability.
SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
 Sampling, generally speaking, is one of the most useful methods for researchers to
draw conclusions about a broad group of people. By asking a portion of this group
—the sample—specific, carefully selected questions, researchers can gain valuable
insights about the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of the broader group as a whole.
 As you might expect, there are many different types of sampling methods and data
collection strategies. These methods vary in cost, in the ways in which the sample
is selected, and in the conclusions they can yield. While a simple random sample
will, ideally, generate a truly random subset of the population (think, drawing from
a hat), other sampling methods might use a different approach.
 One of the most popular methods for generating samples is systematic sampling.
Essentially, a systematic sample will take a large list of people and generate the
sample by selecting individuals that are a fixed, periodic interval away from one
another. This can help generate a seemingly random sample, without the time and
cost constraints that come with truly simple random sampling.
 Systematic sampling can be used to better understand large groups. Currently,
systematic sampling techniques are utilized by a variety of different businesses and
other organizations. In this article, we will answer some of the most common
questions that people have about systematic sampling and explain how systematic
sampling actually works. By taking the time to take a closer look at systematic
sampling, you can decide if this particular strategy is right for your research goals.

How systematic sampling works

Suppose you have a population of 50,000 people and want to learn something
about this particular group’s attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs (such as their views on a
particular product or who they plan to vote for). In a perfect world, you’d be able to ask
every member of this group their opinion and could then simply tally up the results. But
we don’t live in a perfect world and doing this would be impractical, time-consuming,
and very expensive. Instead, you might select a statistically significant portion of this
population—say, 500 people (1% of the population)—and use the responses of the
selected group to draw conclusions about the population as a whole.
The question that remains, however, is how do you decide which 500 people to
survey?
 With systematic sampling, a researcher will take a list of every possible
respondent, start at a random point, and then select the sample group using a fixed,
periodic interval. In this particular scenario, the researcher will choose a random
starting point and then select every 100th person on the list. The reason the researcher is
selecting every 100th person is that the total population (50,000) divided by the desired
sample size (500) equals 100.
Eventually, this will create a seemingly random (or unrelated and uncorrelated)
group of 500 people that, statistically speaking, is large enough to adequately represent
the broader group as a whole. If the “first” person selected on the list was the
86th person overall, the sampled population would then consist of the 186th person, the
286th person, the 386th person, and so on, eventually reaching the 49,986th person on the
list and amassing a total sample size of 500.
Systematic sampling is appealing to researchers because it is both simple and
capable of producing what—in most cases—is a truly random group. However
systematic sampling can have its drawbacks and, without a list of the entire population,
generating the final sample population can be difficult. This is why systematic sampling
is just one of many possible sampling methods that researchers might consider using.

When to use systematic sampling

One question that many researchers might ask is, “when does it make sense to
use systematic sampling?”
First, the researcher must consider whether they have access to a complete list of
members of the sample. Without a complete list, it becomes impossible to select every
100th member (or every nth member) of the sample because the researcher cannot know
who these members actually are. If there is an incomplete list, the data will necessarily
have been filtered—in what was likely a non-random way—meaning any conclusions
drawn from this sample might be manipulated.
A systematic sample might make sense when calling every 100th name in the
phonebook, but it doesn’t necessarily make sense when trying to interview every
100th customer at a grocery store—in the latter example, an alternative form of sampling
known as cluster sampling will likely be used.
Second, systematic sampling is usually much more useful when the population
being sampled is relatively large. With SurveyMonkey’s Audience panel, the audience
being sampled exceeds 50 million, meaning that systematic sampling can often be very
effective. But if you are trying to draw conclusions about a group of 100, surveying
every 10th person might not produce statistically significant outcomes, even if these
individuals have been assigned a random number and are seemingly uncorrelated.
Systematic sampling is also ideal for situations in which there are no patterns
present between the intervals. Asking every 100 th person on a list organized
alphabetically by last name can be useful because there is no evidence that these people
have anything to do with one another. However, imagine a town that is organized with
large properties on every street corner, with five small properties in between them. In
this specific situation, it would not make sense to survey every sixth person in the
(numerically organized) address book because the sample will be skewed to
overrepresent the views of the larger property owners.
Systematic sampling is ideal for researchers that have budget constraints
because it is usually the most affordable way to generate an observably random sample.
So, ultimately, systematic sampling is ideal for large and complete data sets, data sets
void of systematic patterns, and research projects with limited resources. If this
describes the research question you want to have answered, you may want to consider
generating a systematic sample.

Steps to form a sample using systematic sampling

Using the resources provided by SurveyMonkey, it is easier than ever to create a
systematic sample. However, before you begin the surveying process, you will need to
do some basic preparations. Creating a sample using systematic sampling can be broken
down into four main parts.

Step 1: Defining the population

 Before you can sample a population—using any sampling method—you will need
to adequately identify and define the entire population. If you are the owner of a
business, the population you want to sample might include previous customers at
your store. If you are considering marketing a new product, you might want to
sample the population at large or sample a specific group of people (broken down
by demographics, geography, etc.). Regardless, determining the population you
want to learn more about will be a crucial first step.
Step 2: Identifying the population and sample size
 Next, you will need to identify the size of the population and the ideal sample size.
Be sure that the sample size is statistically significant. (Remember, this will depend
on the size of the entire population.) You cannot create a systematic sample if you
do not have both these figures at hand.

Step 3: Assigning a number

 Every member of the broader population will need to have an assigned number. If
the population is already organized in a seemingly random way, such as
alphabetically, assigning a number should be easy. If not, you will need to
randomize the population prior to numbering. This will help you know who is
86th on the list, 186th, 49,986th, and so on.

Step 4: Determining the interval

 The interval will be the nth person that is included in the survey. To calculate the
interval, simply divide the total population by the number of people you want to be
included in the survey. If you have a population of 50,000 and want to include 500
people in the survey, your interval will be 100.

Step 5: Selecting the sample

 Once you have a randomly (or essentially randomly) organized list of the entire
population and the interval, you will then be ready to determine who will be
included in your sample. In the example above, a researcher will then choose a
random number between 1 and 100 (using a random number generator or
equivalent), which will help them determine their starting point. From there, they
will be able to complete the sample and will finally be ready to begin the surveying
process.

Types of systematic sampling

Generally speaking, there are three different ways to generate a systematic sample:

Systematic random sampling

 Systematic random sampling is the type of systematic sampling we’ve described
above. The researcher, working with a fixed sampling interval, will choose a
 starting point between 1 and n (the number of people being sampled), and then
continue down their list at fixed intervals until their entire population set is
completed.

Linear systematic sampling

 Linear systematic sampling is very similar to systematic random sampling. To
create a linear systematic sample, researchers will arrange the population in a
classified sequence, determine the sample size, and then calculate the sampling
interval. They will then select a random number between 1 and the sampling
interval, and then linearly keep adding new members of the population, until the
desired sample size is reached. With linear systematic sampling, it is okay to round
to the nearest integer in the event that the sampling interval is not an even integer.

Circular systematic sampling

 Circular systematic sampling is generally useful by researchers working with
smaller populations. To create a circular sample, a researcher needs to begin by
calculating the sampling interval and then selecting a number between 1 and the
sampling interval. Next, they will continue skipping the sampling interval until the
desired population has been reached—this may include “circling” back and passing
the initial starting point yet again. The key difference with circular sampling and
the other types of systematic sampling is that the sample sequence begins again at
the same point after ending, rather than skipping forward.

Advantages of systematic sampling

 As you will quickly discover with any type of sampling, systematic sampling is
something that has both advantages and disadvantages associated with it. Before
committing to conducting a sample using systematic sampling—as opposed to
other types of sampling—consider the following benefits:

Random probability
 Systematic sampling is one of the easiest ways to create a truly randomized group
of people. If there are no patterns present between the intervals, then the final
sample population will indeed be completely random. Randomness is often crucial
for achieving statistically significant results. In many cases, this makes systematic
 sampling vastly preferable to less random sampling methods, such as cluster
sampling or sampling filtered by a self-selection bias.

Practicality
 Systematic sampling is also very practical. While there are countless specialized
approaches to sampling, many of these approaches are only feasible in a very small
set of circumstances. Systematic sampling, on the other hand, can generate a
random sample population in seemingly any situation where the prerequisites are
met (having a complete and randomized data set). Furthermore, when compared to
other sampling methods, systematic sampling is generally among the most
affordable options available.

Simplicity
 In statistics, simplicity is often what produces the most profound—and significant
—results. When researchers try too hard to manipulate sample populations or
otherwise modify their data, they could end up skewing results despite having good
intentions. All things considered, systematic sampling is systematically simple,
which is generally considered to be a desirable quality when conducting research.

Limitations of systematic sampling

Of course, as you might expect, systematic sampling also has some drawbacks, which is
why other sampling methods are often utilized by researchers.

Strict prerequisites
 Systematic sampling can be very useful when researchers have access to a complete
and randomized data set, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. In many
instances, researchers will only be able to survey a specific, non-randomized subset
of the population, making it difficult to draw any firm conclusions about the
population as a whole. If you are considering conducting a systematically sampled
survey, be sure that you have the information needed to do so.

Clustering issues and biases

 If the organized data set is not organized in a random way, this can lead to
clustering issues and systematic biases. Take the example we mentioned earlier,
where a town is organized with large properties on every street corner and five
small properties in between them. If addresses ending in the number 5 correspond
with a specific type of residence, an interval that overrepresents this subpopulation
could lead to incorrect conclusions about the population at large. Furthermore, if
the dataset was created using specific groups, such as units of a company, this can
create a clustering effect. Once again, it becomes clear that the reliability of the
conclusions being drawn from the data will only be as good as the underlying
approach to sampling.

Subject to manipulation
 If the sampling interval is 100, the research team can theoretically have 100
different subpopulations available to choose from. Suppose the research team is
gauging support for a ballot initiative, which we will refer to as Proposition A. If, in
reality, the proposition truly has 50-50 support, this means that most randomly
selected subpopulations will exhibit a level of support between 40 and 60%. If a
supporter of Prop A conducts a survey that reveals 40% support, they might select
another data set that is closer to their desired support of 60%.

Internally, an organization could  simply choose not to manipulate the data.

However, because these data sets could be manipulated by ill-intentioned researchers,
this particular sampling method can generate scrutiny—particularly in industries that
are prone to statistical manipulations, such as politics.

References:
1. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/random-sampling/
2. https://www.surveymonkey.com/market-research/resources/what-is-systematic-
sampling/