Sampling in Research

Learning Objectives

• Define population
• Learn the reasons for sampling
• Discuss different sampling methods
• Distinguish between probability & non probability sampling

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What is population?
• A population can be defined as including all people or items with the
characteristic one wishes to understand.
• Because there is very rarely enough time or money to gather
information from everyone or everything in a population, the goal
becomes finding a representative sample (or subset) of that
population.
What are the components of a population?

Target Population
• An entire set of individuals or elements who meet the
sampling criteria

Accessible Population
• The portion of the target population to which the
researcher has reasonable access to
 What is a sample?
Accessible/study population
• Defines the selected
group of people or
elements from which
data are collected for SAMPLE
a study.
• The process of
selecting a sample is
Target population
called sampling

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Why do sampling?

• Get information about large populations

• It cost less. Resources (time, money) and workload
• Gives results with known accuracy that can be calculated
mathematically
• When it’s impossible to study the whole population
What are the components of sampling?
• Sampling Unit:
smallest unit which makes up the sample e.g. person

• Sampling frame
List of all the sampling units from which sample is drawn from.
Registrar’s office
Class rosters

• Sampling scheme/technique
Method of selecting sampling units from sampling frame
What concepts are related to sampling?
• The process of selecting people, events or other elements with which
to conduct a study
• The sampling plan identifies the sampling method and defines the
selection process
• Members of the sample can be called the subjects or participants.
What is generalization?
• Extending the findings from the sample under study to the larger
population
• Sample size needs to be representative of the population under study
• To reduce bias
• For our findings to be valid

• The extent of generalization is also influenced by the quality of the

study.
Considerations before sampling
• What is your population of interest?
• To whom do you want to generalize your results?
• All doctors
• School children
• Women aged 15-45 years
• Can you sample the entire population?

• When might you sample the entire population?

• When your population is very small
• When you have extensive resources
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SAMPLING BREAKDOWN
What are inclusion criteria?
• Characteristics that the subject or element must possess to be part of
the target population
• Examples:
• Between the ages of 18 and 45
• Ability to speak English
• Diagnosed with diabetes within past month
What are exclusion criteria?
• Characteristics that can cause a person or element to be excluded
from the target population
• Examples:
• Diagnosis of mental illness
• Less than 18 years of age
• Diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction
• Unable to read or speak English
Types of sampling
2 main types

• Probability sampling
• Non-probability sampling
Probability sampling
• Random sampling
• Each subject has a known probability of being selected.
• All subjects have an equal opportunity of being selected
• It ensures a more representative sample.
Types of Probability Sampling
• Simple random sampling
• Systematic sampling
• Stratified random sampling
• Multi-stage sampling
• Cluster sampling
Simple Random Sampling
• Applicable when population is small, homogeneous & readily
available.
• All subjects are given an equal probability of being selected.
• This is done by assigning a number to each unit in the sampling
frame.
• or lottery system is used to determine which units are to be selected.
• Can even draw names out of a hat.
Simple random sampling
Simple random sampling
Disadvantages
• If sampling frame large, this method impracticable.
• Minority subgroups of interest in population may not be present in
sample in sufficient numbers for study.
Systematic Sampling
• Selecting every nth individual on the list, starting randomly
• Researcher must know number of elements in the population and the
sample size desired
Systematic sampling
• Sampling units are selected at regular intervals from a sampling frame
• Systematic sampling involves a random start and then proceeds with
the selection of every nth element from then onwards. In this case,
n=(population size/sample size).
• The starting point is randomly chosen from within the first to the last
element in the list.
• A simple example would be to select every 10th name from the
telephone directory
 SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING……
.

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Systematic sampling
Stratified sampling
• Where population embraces a number of distinct categories, the
frame can be organized into separate "strata."
• Each stratum is then sampled as an independent sub-population, out
of which individual elements can be randomly selected.
• Every unit in a stratum has same chance of being selected.
• Each stratum is treated as an independent population, different
sampling approaches can be applied to different strata.
Stratified Random Sampling
• Ensures all levels of identified variables are adequately represented in
the sample
• Needs a large population with which to draw a sample from
• Variables often used for stratification
• Age, gender, socioeconomic status
• Types of nurses, sites of care
Stratified sampling
Post-stratification
• Stratification introduced after the sampling phase
• This approach is done due to a lack of prior knowledge of an
appropriate stratifying variable
• or when the experimenter lacks the necessary information to
create a stratifying variable during the sampling phase.
Multi-stage sampling
• Used when it is not feasible to take a simple random sample because
population geographically spread.
• sample is more easily selected in stages using the hierarchical
structure of the population.
• There can be many stages, hence the term ‘multi-stage sampling’.
• random number of districts chosen in a town
• Followed by random number of villages.
• Then third stage units will be random sample the houses
• All ultimate units (houses, for instance) selected at last step are
surveyed.
Cluster Sampling
• Cluster sampling is a special case of multi-stage sampling whereby all
units at the final stage are sampled.
• In this context, the first-stage units are called clusters.
• A cluster may be, for example, a village, a school, or a health centre.
What is the difference between strata and
clusters?
Stratified Cluster
• Population is divided into fewer • Population has many subgroups
subgroups • Heterogeneity within subgroups
• Homogeneity within subgroups • Random selection of the
• Subjects randomly selected from subgroup.
within each strata • All units in the final subgroup are
included in the sample
Non-probability sampling
• Probability of being chosen is unknown
• Cheaper- but unable to generalise
• potential for bias
Quota sampling
• Similar to stratified sampling except for non-random sampling
of subjects or units from each segment based on a specified
proportion.
• In quota sampling the selection of the sample is non-random.
• For example, interviewers might be tempted to interview those
who look most helpful.
• samples may be biased because not everyone gets a chance of
selection.
• This non-random element is its greatest weakness
Convenience Sampling
• Sometimes known as opportunity sampling or accidental or
haphazard sampling.
• The sample is drawn from population which is, readily available
and convenient.
• Such a sample cannot be used to make generalizations about the
total population because it would not be representative enough.
• For example, if the interviewer was to conduct a survey at a shopping
center early in the morning on a given day, the people that he/she could
interview would be limited to those available at that given time, which
would not represent the views of other members of society in such an
area, if the survey was to be conducted at different times of day and
several times per week.

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Convenience Sampling…….

• Use results that are easy to get

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Purposive sampling
• The researcher chooses the sample based on who they think would
be appropriate for the study.
• Following a set inclusion criteria
• This is used primarily when there is a limited number of people that
have expertise in the area being researched

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Conclusion
• Probability samples are the best
• Ensure
• Representativeness
• Precision
Questions???

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