Metpen

SAMPLING
Problem Formulation: Summary
Research Area

Topic

Purpose

Research Questions

Hypotheses
 Design the Study

What? • The question

Who? • Sampling strategy

• Data be collected, managed,

How? analysed, and disseminated?

• Strengths and limitations of the

Critique approach.
 Who? Sampling: Some terms

 Population parameter
 the true value of a population attribute.
 Sample statistic
 an estimate, based on sample data, of a population parameter
 Sampling method
 the way that observations are selected from a population to be in
the sample.
1. Probability samples
 each population element has a known (non-zero) chance of being
chosen for the sample.
2. Non-probability samples
 do not know the probability that each population element will be
chosen, and/or cannot be sure that each population element has a
non-zero chance of being chosen.
Sampling

Quantitative Qualitative

• Probability sampling • Non-probability sampling

• Objectivity • Subjectivity
• Representative • Non-representative
• Results generalizable • Results not generalizable
• Statistically rigorous • Not statistically rigorous
• Random sampling • Theoretical sampling
• Claim no researcher bias • Researcher integral to
• All units have equal (or sample selection
known) chance of • No attempt to give units
selection equal chance of selection.
Probability sampling
Simple
random
Systematic
Probability random
sampling Stratified
random

Cluster
 Probability Sampling: Simple
Random
 Each member equal and
independent chance of being
selected
 Assign each member of
population a numerical label.
 Use statistical software or a
random digit table to select
numerical labels at random.
Probability Sampling: Systematic
Random

 Create a list of every population member

 Systematically select every kth person.
 Probability Sampling:
Stratified
 If subpopulations within population vary considerably (e.g.,
gender, ethnicity)
 advantageous to divide sample into subpopulations
("strata”) and then perform simple random sampling
within each stratum.
 Probability Sampling:
Cluster
 “Natural” groupings
in population (e.g.,
geography).
 Population divided
into groups
(clusters).
 Sample of clusters
chosen.
 Information collected
from elements within
each cluster.
 Probability Sampling:
Considerations
 Other sources of error
 Response rates
 Inaccurate sampling frame
 Data collection errors
 Coding problems
 Resources
 Time and cost
 Population heterogeneity
 The greater the variation in population, the larger the
sample size needed
 Type of analysis
 More sophisticated analysis -> larger sample sizes
Non-Probability Sampling
Snowball

Convenience

Non-Probability
Quota
Sampling

Purposive

Theoretical
 Sampling_1

CONVENIENCE SAMPLING
 Sample convenient (available, accidental)
 Fast, inexpensive, easy and participants readily
available.
 Examples:
 Standing in a public place and gathering interviews.
 Participants selected from a clinic, a class, or an
institution that is easily accessible to the researcher.
 Sampling_2

QUOTA SAMPLING
 Non-probability equivalent of Stratified Sampling.
 Identify the mutually-exclusive categories
 Set quotas for categories of sample.
 Convenience sampling to fill quotas
 Useful when
 time limited
 sampling frame not available
 budget very tight
 detailed accuracy not important.
 Example
 Interested in identifying reasons for school non-attendance and
performance amongst different family constellations and age groups
and relationships to SES and gender.
 Sampling_3
PURPOSIVE SAMPLING
 Identify a particular group of participants important
 Power lies in
 selecting information rich-cases
 for in-depth analysis
 related to the central issues being studied.
 Examples
 Extreme Case Sampling
 Maximum Variation Sampling
 Homogeneous Sampling
 Typical Case Sampling
 Critical Case Sampling
 Criterion Sampling
 Sampling_4
SNOWBALL SAMPLING
 Desired sample characteristic rare or may be extremely
difficult or cost prohibitive to locate
 Locate individuals who satisfy criteria
 Rely on referrals from these to locate further participants.
 Cheap, simple, cost effective
 Examples
 Social workers with experience in highly publicized cases of child
abuse.
 Young people and pirated movies
Non-Probability Sampling:
Snowball
Initial contact with a few participants
Use these to recruit others.