Research Methods: Sampling & Population
Research Methods: Sampling & Population
Research Methods: Sampling & Population
Sample
A subset, or some part, of a larger whole. Larger whole could be anything a group of organizations, a group of students, a group of customers, a group of mid-level managers.
Sampling Terminology
Number of technical terms used that need explanation.
1. Element
Unit about which information is collected and is the basis of analysis. Can be a person, a group, a family, an organization, a community.
2. Population
Theoretically specified aggregation of study elements. Translating the abstract concept into workable concept. College students. Theoretical explanation. Pool of all available elements is population.
3. Target Population
Out of conceptual variations, what exactly is the focus. Complete group of specific population elements relevant to project. Call it Survey population aggregation of elements for selecting a sample. e.g. study of college students college students from Govt. institutions, studying social sciences, aged 19 years, and with rural background
4. Sampling
Process of using a small number of items. Estimate unknown characteristics of population. Process of selection Depending upon the type of sample to be used.
5. Sampling Frame
List of population elements. Listing of all college students meeting the criteria. Also called as working population list that can be worked with operationally. Prepare the list of relevant college students.
6. Sampling Unit
That element or set of elements considered for selection in some stage of sampling. Sampling can be single stage or multistage. Simple or complex. In single stage, sampling units are the same as elements. In multistage, different levels of sampling units may be employed. Sampling of Mohallahs, the of households, and then adults. Primary, secondary, final.
7. Observation Unit
Unit of data collection from which information is collected. Unit of observation and unit of analysis can be same or different. [Interview head of household (UoO) and collect information about every member (UoA)]
8. Parameter
Summary description of a given variable in population (Mean income of families in the city, mean age) Survey research involves the estimation of population parameters.
9. Statistic
Summary description of a variable in survey sample. Mean income/age of the sample. Use it for estimation of population parameters
Conduct fieldwork
Probability
Every element in the population has a known nonzero probability of selection. Used when representativeness is crucial for wider gerenalizability. Can measure sampling error.
Non-Probability
Probability of any element being chosen is unknown. Arbitrary personal judgment. Time and other factors more crucial than generalizability. Cannot measure sampling error. Projecting data beyond sample is statistically inappropriate.
Convenience Sampling
Also called haphazard or accidental or grab sampling. Obtaining units who are most conveniently available. Person-on-the street interviewed by TV people. Personal judgment. May not be representative. Least reliable. Used during exploratory phase
Purposive Sampling
Researcher lays down the criteria for the subjects. Also called as judgmental or expert opinion sample. Selection depends upon the judgment of selector.
Quota Sampling
Procedure that ensures certain characteristics of a population sample will be represented. Fix the quota. Use convenience sampling. Fieldworker bias in selection.
Can be considered as proportionate stratified sampling but on convenience basis Speed of data collection, lower cost, and convenience. Ensures the inclusion of a subset when it is under-represented.
Snowball Sampling
Also called: network, chain referral, or reputational sampling. Analogy of snowball. Begins with one/few, spreads out on the basis of links. Useful where respondents are difficult to identify.
Sequential Sampling
Similar to purposive sampling. In purposive get every possible case. In sequential continuous evaluation of data. Stop when no new information is coming.
Take a random starting point. Characteristics of most random samples are close to the characteristics of population. Calculate the sampling error.
Calculate the sampling interval. Basis of random selection Sample size/Population size X 100 i.e. sample as % of Pop. Begin with a random start. Draw sample by choosing every Nth case. If elements are organized in some pattern in the sampling frame then problem. Possible periodicity in population.
Stratification Process
Stratification based on the primary variable (Y). What characteristics of pop affect Y? Should increase homogeneity within stratum and heterogeneity between strata. Make sampling frame for each stratum. Serially number the elements. Use table of random numbers and select the sample from each stratum.
Cluster Sampling
Purpose: sample economically and retaining probability sampling. Heterogeneity within clusters but homogeneity between clusters. Random selection of clusters. Random selection of elements within the selected clusters.
Multistage Sampling
Researcher draws several samples in stages. For example: Cluster sampling is usually multistage stage1 random sampling of big clusters stage 2 random sampling of small clusters within the big ones stage 3 random sampling of elements within the selected small clusters City blocks households individuals
Double Sampling
When further information is needed from a subset of the group from which some information has already been collected for the same study. Want to examine the matter in more detail. Sub-sample of the primary sample
Why sample?
2. Quality Management
Instead of doing on large population with less qualified staff, do a sample study with quality fieldworkers. Easier to manage small group quality control. Training, supervision, record keeping.
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