Sample and Sampling Techniques: By: Dr. Sohail Saadat Community Dentistry Department

Sample and Sampling
Techniques
By : Dr. Sohail Saadat

Community Dentistry Department
Sample…..?
Sample: Small part of the population from
which the information is collected.
Sampling
Is a process of collecting small number of
units from a large group of elements in
such a way a judgment can be made for
large group on the basis of small selected
group of elements
OR
Selection of a number of entities from
demarcated population
Technical Terms
• Population: A population is a collection of elements
about which we wish to make an inference.
• Sample: is a subset of population
• Sampling unit / Element: An element is an object on

which a measurement is taken, e.g. a patient with
decayed teeth.
• Sampling Frame: A frame is the list of sampling
units/elements, e.g. list of households of the community.
List of children less than five years of age
Sampling – Background
• Researchers rarely survey the entire
population for two reasons:
• (1) The cost is too high
• (2) The population is dynamic, i.e., the
component of population could change
over time.
• Additionally, referring with the entire
population increases the time lag
Sampling – Advantages
• There are three main advantages of
sampling:
• (1) Reduced Cost
• (2) Data collection is faster, and
• (3) It is possible to ensure homogeneity
and to improve the accuracy and quality of
the data because the data set is smaller.
SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
• Random/ Probability Sampling Technique
– The chance that the element in a target population will
be selected is known. As a result the sample is
representative of the population.
• Non-Random/ Non- Probability Sampling
Technique
– The chance that an element in a target population will
be selected in the sample is unknown or the sample is
not representative of the population.
Types Of Sampling
Random Sampling Non-Random
Simple Random Sampling Sampling
Systematic Sampling Quota Sampling
Simple Stratified Sampling Purposive/Judgment
Cluster Sampling Sampling
Multi-Stage Sampling Snowball Sampling
Convenience
Sampling
Simple random sampling.
• If a sample is drawn from a population in
such a way that Every single has the same
chance of being selected, the sampling
procedure is called simple random
sampling.
Simple Random Sampling – Method
• How to Draw a SRS?

• Using random number table
• Using computer to generate random
numbers.
Systematic Random Sampling
• Systematic sampling involves a random
start and then proceeds with the selection
of every kth element from then onwards.
Systematic Random Sampling
• Usually, k=(population size/sample size).
• It is important that the starting point

randomly chosen from within the first to
the kth element in the list.
• A simple example would be to select every
10th name from the sampling frame.
Stratified Random Sampling
• Sometimes the frame is not homogeneous e.g.
rural and urban areas of Karachi region or
different towns within the Karachi city.
• A stratified random sample is one obtained by

separating the population elements into non-
overlapping groups, called strata, and then
selecting a simple random sample from each
stratum.
Cluster random sampling
• A cluster sample is a simple random
sample in which each sampling unit is a
collection, or cluster, of elements, e.g.
school, factory etc.
Cluster random sampling
• In a cluster sample, elements in the
population is divided into a number of
clusters/groups.
• It begins with choosing at random sample
of clusters or groups, after which a simple
random sample of elements in each
chosen cluster is selected or take all the
elements of chosen clusters as sample
Multi-Stage Sampling
• Combination of above mentioned sampling
methods
Convenient Sampling
• Members of the population are chosen
based on their relative ease of Access.
• To sample neighbors, co-workers, or

shoppers at a single town, are all
examples of convenient Sampling
Quota Sampling
• Pre-plan numbers of individuals in a specified
category (e.g. 100 men and 100 women)
• For example interviewers might be tempted to

interview those people in the street who look most
helpful, or question those which are closest to them
• The problem is that these samples may be biased

because not everyone gets a chance of selection.
Purposive Sampling
• The researcher chooses the sample based on who they
think would be appropriate for the study.
• Purposive sampling starts with a purpose in mind and the
sample is thus selected to include people of interest and
exclude those who do not suit the purpose.
• Method
• When taking the sample, reject people who do not fit a
particular profile.
• It is also called “Convenient sampling with specific criterion”

Purposive Sampling
• Example
• A researcher wants to get opinions from non-
working mothers. They go around an area
knocking on doors during the day when children
are likely to be at school. They ask to speak to
the 'woman of the house’. Their first questions
are then about whether there are children and
whether the woman has a day job.
Snow Ball Sample
• This involves a multistage technique that utilizes
social network of individuals who tend to share
common characteristics.
• The researcher identifies and interviews a few
subjects with requisite criteria, who are then
asked to identify others with the same criteria
and so on until a satisfactory sample is obtained.
• The procedure is useful for finding subjects who

may not be willing to make themselves known in
population. E.g. homosexuals, alcoholics, drug
addicts etc.
Merits and Demerits of Probability and Non-
Probability Sampling
Advantages Disadvantages
Probability:
1. Minimum Bias 1. Expensive
2. More Reliable & authentic 2. Inconvenient
3. Estimation of sampling errors 3. Time Consuming
4. Generalized Results 4. Difficult with large population
5. Skilled operator required
Non-Probability:
1. Convenient 1. Results cannot be Generalized
2. Economical 2. Maximum Bias
3. Less Time Consuming 3. Sample error cannot be estimated
4. Less skilled operator 4. Authenticity very debatable
5.Weaker type of sampling
Thank you

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Sample and Sampling

By : Dr. Sohail Saadat

• Sample: is a subset of population

• Sampling unit / Element: An element is an object on

• How to Draw a SRS?

• It is important that the starting point

• A stratified random sample is one obtained by

• To sample neighbors, co-workers, or

• For example interviewers might be tempted to

• The problem is that these samples may be biased

• It is also called “Convenient sampling with specific criterion”

• The procedure is useful for finding subjects who

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