ASSIGNMENT

Q1. Discuss steps in sample design.

ANS- A sample design is a definite plan for obtaining a sample from a given population. It
refers to the technique or the procedure the researcher would adopt in selecting items for the sample.
Sample design also leads to a procedure to tell the number of items to be included in the sample i.e.,
the size of the sample. Hence, sample design is determined before the collection of data. Among
various types of sample design technique, the researcher should choose that samples which are
reliable and appropriate for his research study.

Types of Sample Design

Probability Sampling Design

- Each element/respondent has a known probability of being included in the sample.

Types: -

• Simple Random Sampling

- Each and every element/respondent in the population is given equal chance of selection.

• Systematic Sampling
- The selection of sample starts by picking some random point in the list and then every nth
element is selected until the desired number is secured.

• Stratified Random Sampling

-The population is stratified into a number of non-overlapping subpopulations or strata and
sample items are selected from each stratum.

• Cluster Sampling and Area Sampling

- It involves grouping the population and then selecting the groups or the clusters rather than
individual elements for inclusion in the same.

-Area Sampling: Total geographical area is divided into a number of smaller non-overlapping
areas, generally called geographical clusters, then a number of these smaller areas randomly selected
and all elements in these small areas are included in the sample.
• Multi-stage Sampling
-This is further development of the idea of Cluster sampling. The first stage in this technique may
include to select large primary sampling unit then next smaller sampling unit and so on and technique
of random-sampling is applied to all stages. Ex: Country-State-District-City Families.

• Sequential Sampling
- This is somewhat a complex sample design where the ultimate size of the sample is not fixed in
advance but is determined according to mathematical decision on the basis of information yielded as
survey progresses.

Non-Probability Sampling Designs: (Deliberate or

Purposive Sampling)
• Convenience Sampling
– When elements/respondents in the population/universe are selected for inclusion in the sample
based on the ease of the access. It is called Convenience sampling.

• Judgment Sampling
--The researcher’s judgment is used for selecting items which he/she considers as representative of
the population. This sampling is used quite frequently in Qualitative Research where the desire
happens to be to develop hypotheses rather than to generalise to larger population.

• Quota Sampling
--When The researcher or interviewer are simply given quota to be filled from different strata,
rather then selecting elements from each stratum based on simple random is known as Quota
sampling. The size of the quota for each stratum is generally proportionate to the size of the stratum in
the population. It generally happens to be judgment sampling rather than random sampling.

The characteristics of a good sample as follows;

1. Sample design must result in a truly representative sample,
2. Sample design must be such which results in a small sampling error,
3. Sampling design must be viable in the context of funds available for the research study,
4. Sample design must be such that systematic bias can be controlled in a better way, and
5. Sample should be such that the results of the sample study can be applied, in general, for the
universe with a reasonable level of confidence.

Steps in Sample Design

There are various steps which the researcher should follow. Those are;

1. Type of universe: In the first step the researcher should clarify and should be expert in
the study of universe. The universe may be finite (no of items are know) or Infinite (numbers
of items are not know).

2. Sampling unit: A decision has to be taken concerning a sampling unit before selecting a
sample. Sampling unit may be a geographical one such as state, district, village etc., or
construction unit such as house, flat, etc., or it may be a social unit such as family, club,
school etc., or it may be an individual.

3. Source list: Source list is known as ‘sampling frame’ from which sample is to be drawn. It
consists the names of all items of a universe. Such a list would be comprehensive, correct,
reliable and appropriate and the source list should be a representative of the population.

4. Size of sample:  Size of sample refers to the number of items to be selected from the
universe to constitute a sample. Selection of sample size is a headache to the researcher. The
size should not be too large or too small rather it should be optimum. An optimum sample is
one which fulfills the requirements of efficiency, representativeness, reliability and flexibility.
The parameters of interest in a research study must be kept in view, while deciding the size of
the sample. Cost factor i.e., budgetary conditions should also be taken into consideration.

5. Sampling procedure: In the final step of the sample design, a researcher must decide the
type of the sample she/he will use i.e., s/he must decide about the techniques to be used in
selecting the items for the sample.

Q2. Describe census and sample survey.

ANS- CENSUS

A census is an attempt to gather information about every member of some group, called the
population. A well-organised procedure of gathering, recording and analysing information regarding
the members of the population is called a census. It is an official and complete count of the universe,
wherein each and every unit of the universe is included in the collection of data. Here universe
implies any region (city or country), a group of people, through which the data can be acquired.

Under this technique, the enumeration is conducted about the population by considering the entire
population. Hence this method requires huge finance, time and labour for gathering information. This
method is useful, to find out the ratio of male to female, the ratio of literate to illiterate people, the
ratio of people living in urban areas to the people in rural areas.

Advantages of census method –

 Intensive Nature of Study 

In-depth information related to an issue is covered, which helps in all-inclusive understanding.

For instance, in population census, apart from counting a number of people, other parameters are also
considered, like age, sex, marital status etc. 

 Accuracy and Reliability of Results 

Results are more reliable and accurate owing to the vast number of items that are taken into account . 

Limitations of Census Method –

 High Expenditure 
The expenditure incurred during census is much higher because of sheer size of the population. Also,
data is collected from each unit of a sample population, which requires additional costing.

 Huge Resources Required 

Owing to the huge volume of data that is collated, a greater number of workforce (as well as man
hours) is required for completion
SAMPLE

A sample allows the researcher to gather information from only a part of the population.
Sampling – collecting data from a portion of the population – is the general means of
gathering information about a population when it is not possible to get information from each
individual in the population. Sampling saves both time and money. We define sampling as
the process in which the fraction of the population, so selected to represent the characteristics
of the larger group. This method is used for statistical testing, where it is not possible to
consider all members or observations, as the population size is very large.

As statistical inferences are based on the sampling observations, the selection of the
appropriate representative sample is of utmost importance. So, the sample selected should
indicate the entire universe and not exhibit a particular section. On the basis of the data
collected from the representative samples, the conclusion is drawn from the whole
population.

 For instance: A company places an order for raw material by simply checking out the
sample.

The units which constitute sample is considered as ‘Sampling Units’.

The full-fledged list containing all sampling units is called ‘Sampling Frame’.

Advantages of Sample Method

The advantages of sample method are –

 Faster Results 
In the sample method, the number of units utilised is significantly less. It helps to arrive at results
much quicker.

 Economical 
Sample method incurs substantially lower cost than census method as these tests are done over a
limited sample.

 Greater Ambit of Scope 

It has greater scope than census method as it acts as a substitute in such cases where the latter
becomes impracticable. For instance, if a manufacturer wants to test its range of toasters and other
kitchen appliances, it will apply a sample method and not a census method. 

 Cross-checking Census Results and Follow up Measures

The nature of the sample method is such that it can be employed to check the results from the census
method. 

Also, due to the small size of its sample, the method is useful for cross-checking the reliability of its
own results. A small sample can be taken out of generated results, and that sample will have to be
investigated. 

Limitations of a Sample Method

Limitations of sample method are –

 Inefficiencies in Sample Selection 

In choosing samples, there is a higher likelihood of biased selection. The investigator may choose
such a sample that is favourable to him or her. Due to this, entire collected sample sets will not be an
accurate representation of the entire population . 

 Difficulty in Selecting a Sample with all Characteristics

It is likely that samples may not retain all the characteristics of a population. The problem arises from
the limited size of any sample.
In a small sample base, only a handful of characteristics will be exhibited .

 Requires Expert knowledge and Training 

The executors of sample method require training and specialised knowledge for conducting the
survey. In the absence of knowledge of those special techniques, the exercise cannot be carried out .