INTRODUCTION

Sampling is defined as “the process of selecting a smaller group of participants to tell us

essentially what a larger population might tell us if we asked every member of the larger

population the same question”

Samples are segments of the population about which research is being done. Sampling is the

process or technique of selecting a sample of appropriate characteristics and adequate size.

‘Sampling frame’ is the total of the elements of the survey population, redefined according to

certain specifications. Sampling frame consists of Sampling units, which are individual entities

that form the focus of the study.

ADVANTAGES OF SAMPLING

 It reduces the cost of the investigation, the time required and the number of personnel

involved.

 It allows thorough investigation of the units of observation.

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  It helps to provide adequate and in depth coverage of the sample units.

IDEAL REQUIREMENTS OF A SAMPLE

 Efficiency: It is the ability of the sample to yield the desired information.

 Representativeness: A sample should be representative of the parent population.

 Measurability: The design of the sample should be such that valid estimates of its

variability can be made.

 Size: A sample should be large enough to minimize sample variability and to allow

estimates of the population characteristics to be made with measurable precision.

 Coverage: High rates of refusal/ non-response, loss to follow-up and other missing data

can make sample un-representative of the parent population.

 Goal orientation: Sample selection should be oriented towards the study objectives and

research design.

 Feasibility: The design should be simple enough to be carried out in practice.

 Economy and cost efficiency: The sample design should yield the desired information

with appreciable savings in time and cost and with least sampling error.

SAMPLE SELECTION

The actual sample selection can be accomplished in two basic ways:

1. PURPOSIVE SELECTION

The selection of a sample primarily aims at representing the population as a whole.

Hence there can be a great temptation to deliberately or purposely select the individuals

who seem to represent the population under study.

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 2. RANDOM SELECTION

Here a sample of units is selected in such a way that all the characteristics of the

population are reflected in the sample.

SAMPLING METHODS

Different sampling designs are available depending upon the type and nature of the population

and the objectives of the investigation.

1. NON-PROBABILITY SAMPLING

Non probability samples are not truly representative and are therefore less desirable.

a) QUOTA SAMPLING

Here, the general composition of the sample is decided in advance. The only

requirement is that the right number of people be somehow found to fill these quotas.

b) PURPOSIVE SAMPLING

A purposive sample is a non-representative subset of some larger population, and is

constructed to serve a very specific need or purpose.

c) CONVENIENCE SAMPLING

A convenience sample is a matter of taking what you can get. It is an accidental

sample.

2. PROBABILITY SAMPLING

In this method, each individual unit in the total population has a known probability of

being selected.

a) SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING

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 In this technique each and every unit in the population has an equal chance of being

included in the sample.

i) Lottery method

ii) Table of random numbers

b) SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING

A systematic sample is obtained by selecting one unit at random and then selecting

additional units at evenly spaced interval till the sample of required size has been got.

c) STRATIFIED SAMPLING

The population is first divided into subgroups or strata according to certain common

characteristics.

i) Stratified random sampling

ii) Stratified systematic sampling

d) CLUSTER SAMPLING

This method is used when the population forms natural groups or clusters, such as

villages, ward blocks or children of a school etc.

OTHER SAMPLING METHODS

1. MULTIPHASE SAMPLING

In this method, part of the information is collected from the whole sample and a part from the

sub sample.

2. MULTISTAGE SAMPLING

The first stage is to select the groups or clusters. Then sub samples are taken in as many

subsequent stages as necessary to obtain the desired sample size.

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 SAMPLE SIZE

Bigger the sample, higher will be the precision of the estimates of the sample.

The sample size is calculated by the formula:-

where, n = sample size

p = approximate prevalence rate

q=1–p

L = permissible error in the estimation of p

ERRORS IN SAMPLING

There are two types of errors that arise in sampling:-

1. Sampling Error

The sampling errors are errors that creep in due to the sampling process and could arise

because of faulty sample design or due to the small size of the sample.

2. Non sampling error

Non sampling errors arise due to:-

i) Coverage error – due to non response or non cooperation of the informant.

technique or both.

iii) Processing error – due to errors in statistical analysis.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it can be said that using a sample in research saves mainly on money and time, if

a suitable sampling strategy is used, an appropriate sample size selected and necessary

precautions taken to reduce on sampling and measurement errors, then a sample should yield

valid and reliable information.

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 REFERENCES

 Soben Peter, Essentials of Preventive and Community Dentistry(Public Health Dentistry),

4th Edition

 SS Hiremath, Textbook of Public Health Dentistry, 3rd Edition