Sampling techniques

- In most studies sample is common and census is

rare.
- One of the basic requirements of sampling is the
securing of a sample which is truly representative of
the population.
There are several methods of obtaining such
representative samples, which are called methods of
sampling or sampling techniques.
1. Random sampling (probability sampling)
– These are techniques that provide every element of
the population a measurable chance of being
included in the sample.
It is only chance and not any other factor that
affect the selection.
There are four major types of random sampling
techniques.
• Simple random sampling
It is used when the population under study is uniform
or homogeneous with respect to the characteristics
under study and limited in size.
The procedures of selection are:

- Form a frame- list of all elements in the population

by giving them number each.(random order)
- Apply lottery method or use random number
table or random number generator using
computer to pick the amount of sample you need.
• Systematic sampling
Used when population is relatively uniform and
limited in size (An alternative to SRS)
The procedures of selection are:
- Arrange(list) the population in some order such as
alphabetical, size , color etc (form a frame in some
order)
- Select every kth element from the list( population)
Where k = N/n
N = population size
n = sample size
- The starting point among the first k elements is
selected randomly.
Example.
Estimate the average age of all students of an
elementary school of 2000 students by taking a
systematic sample of 100 students.
Solution
N = 2000 – population
n = 100- sample
Variable under study – age (uniform)
- Arrange all the 2000 students alphabetically
- Determine K = N/n = 2000/100 = 20
- Take every 20th students from the list
- The starting point among the first 20 students is
elected randomly, say 12.
- The sample students will be 12, 32, 52,---- 1992.
- Then take the ages of these selected students
and compute the sample average age, which is an
estimate of average age of all students
• Stratified sampling
- Used when population is large and heterogeneous
(not uniform), that is, different with respect to the
characteristic under study.
- The method of selection is
• Divide or change the population into several
uniform or homogeneous segments or sub –
divisions called strata
 Similarity of characteristics within strata and
dissimilarity between strata
• Select proportional sample from each strata by
s.r.s method
Example
Find the average salary of a company having 50,000
workers by taking a sample of 500 workers
 Solution
Variable under study – salary (Heterogeneous)
N = 50,000, n = 500
Form strata
Strata Popn Proportional sample
≤ 500 300 3
501- 1000 1500 15
1001-1500 2,000 20
1501- 2000 8,000 80
2001- 2500 10,000 100
2501- 3000 12,000 120
3001- 4000 10,000 100
4001- 6000 5000 50
6001- 10,000 1000 10
≥ 10,000 200 2
N = 50,000 n = 500
Take the salary of the sampled workers and find the
sample average salary
• Cluster sampling
- used when population is large and spatially or
geographically distributed
- Used for both homogeneous or heterogeneous
populations with respect to their characteristics
- Method of selection is
• Divide(change) the population into sub- groups
(sub- regions) with similar features to each other
called clusters.
Dissimilarity of characteristics within cluster and
similarity between clusters
• Select sample of few clusters (sub- group) and take
all or sample of elements in the selected clusters.

Example
Find the average family income of Addis Ababa
Solution
-Variable under study - income (heterogeneous and
large)
- Since the variable under study is scattered over an area
of AA, cluster sampling is appropriate
- Divide the city of AA into 11 Woredas
- Woredas are clusters and not strata with respect to
income
-Then take a random sample of 3 woredas and take all
families of the selected Woredas for the study
2. Non random (non- probability) sampling
– These are techniques in which every element of the
population is not given equal chance of being
included in the sample.
- Selection is not done by chance and can be affected
by other factors.
There are different types of non- random sampling

techniques
• Purposive or judgment sampling – To pick the
cases that are considered to suitable for the study.
• Convenient sampling – The method basically
employed to the convenience to the sampler such
as by telephone, postal email etc
• Quota sampling – in this case the population is
roughly divided into sub- regions and a certain
proportional sample is selected from each sub- region.

- It is mostly used in market research and opinion

polls
- It is the most commonly used non- random sampling
method