Program

MBA

Semester

III

Subject Code

MB0050

Subject Name

Research Methodology

Unit Number

Unit Title

Sampling

Lecture Number :

Lecture Title

Sampling

Book Id

B1700

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Unit-7 Sampling

Sampling
Objectives :

Explain the basic concepts of sampling.

Distinguish between sample and census.

Differentiate between a sampling and non-sampling error.

Understand the meaning of sampling design.

Explain different types of probability sampling designs.

Describe various types of non-probability sampling designs.

Estimate the sample size required while estimating the population

mean and proportion.
In this unit, we will discuss in detail the concept of sampling,
including sampling and non-sampling error, probability and nonprobability sampling designs, as well as determination of sample
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size.
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Unit-7 Sampling

Lecture Outline

Introduction
Sampling Concepts
Sampling Design

Determination of Sample Size

Summary
Check Your Learning

Activity

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Unit-7 Sampling

Introduction

Once the information needs are specified, the sources of collecting

the information are sought. Some information may be collected

through secondary sources whereas the rest may be obtained
through primary sources.

The primary methods of collecting information could be the

observation

method,

personal

interview

with

questionnaire,

telephone surveys and mail surveys.

Surveys

are

useful

in

information

collection

and

survey

respondents should be selected using the appropriate procedures;

otherwise the researchers may not be able to get the right
information to solve the problem under investigation. This is done
through sampling.

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Unit-7 Sampling

Sampling Concepts

Sampling involves the study of a small number of individuals, objects

chosen from a larger group.

Some of the sampling concepts are:

Population: Refer to any group of people or objects that form the subject of
study in a particular survey.
Sampling frame: Comprises all the elements of a population with proper
identification for selection at any stage of sampling.
Sample: Subset of the population and comprises some elements of the
population.
Sampling unit: A single member of the sample

Census (or complete enumeration): An examination of each and every

element of the population is called census or complete enumeration.
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Unit-7 Sampling

Sampling Concepts

Sample vs Census:
If all the households in a population are asked to provide information,

such a survey is called a census.

There is an alternative way of obtaining the same information, by
choosing a subset of all the two lakh households and asking them for the
same information. This subset is called a sample.
Advantages of sample over census.
Sample saves time and cost
There are situations where a sample is the only option.
The study of a sample instead of complete enumeration may, at times, produce
more reliable results.

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Unit-7 Sampling

Sampling Concepts

Sampling vs Non-Sampling Error

Sampling error arises when a sample is not representative of the

population. It is the difference between sample mean and population

mean.
Non-sampling error arises not because a sample is not a representative
of the population but because of other reasons.

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Unit-7 Sampling

Sampling Design

Sampling design refers to the process of selecting samples from a

population. There are two types of sampling designsprobability

sampling design and nonprobability sampling design.

Probability
Sampling
Design

Simple random sampling with

replacement (SRSWR)
Simple random sampling
without replacement (SRSWOR)
Systematic sampling
Stratified random sampling

Nonprobability
Sampling
Designs

Convenience sampling
Purposive (judgmental) sampling
Snowball sampling
Quota sampling
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Unit-7 Sampling

Determination of Sample Size

The size of a sample depends upon the basic characteristics of the

population, the type of information required from the survey and the
cost involved. Therefore, a sample may vary in size for several

reasons.

Methods of determining the sample size in practice:

Researchers may arbitrarily decide the size of sample
If the cost of sampling per sample unit is known, one can easily obtain the
sample size by dividing the total budget allocation by the cost of sampling
per unit.
There are researchers who decide on the sample size based on that was

done by other researchers in similar studies.

The most commonly used approach for determining the size of sample is
the Confidence interval approach covered under inferential statistics.
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Unit-7 Sampling

Determination of Sample Size

Sample size for estimating population mean

The formula for determining the sample size in such a case is given by

Where X = e = Margin of error

n = Sample size
= Population standard deviation
Z = the value of standard normal ordinate

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Unit-7 Sampling

Determination of Sample Size

Determination of sample size for estimating the population

proportion

The formula for determining the sample size in such a case is given by

The above formula will be used if the value of population proportion (proportion
of occurrence of the event) p is known. If, however, p is unknown, we
substitute the maximum value of pq in the above formula. It can be shown that
the maximum value of pq is 1/4 when p = 1/2 and q = 1/2.

Therefore,

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Unit-7 Sampling

Summary

Surveys are useful in information collection. The survey respondents should

be selected using appropriate and right procedures. The process of selecting

the right individuals, objects or events for the study is known as sampling.

An alternative to sample is census where each and every element of the

population (universe) is examined. There are many advantages of sampling
over complete enumeration.

The process of selecting samples from the population is referred to as

sampling design. There are two types of sampling designsprobability
sampling design and non-probability sampling design.

There are four probability sampling designsthe simple random sampling

with replacement, simple random sampling without replacement, systematic
sampling and stratified random sampling.

Under

the

non-probability

sampling

designs,

there

are

convenience

sampling, judgmental sampling and snowball sampling.

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Unit-7 Sampling

Check Your Learning

1. Differentiate between sample and census.
Ans: A census is a complete enumeration of the population, while a sample is a
subset of the population.
2. Differentiate between the stratified random sampling and systematic
sampling.

Ans: Systematic sampling and stratified random sampling are types of

probability sampling design.
Stratified random sampling: Under this sampling design, the entire population
(universe) is divided into strata (groups), which are mutually exclusive and
collectively exhaustive.
Systematic sampling: In this design, the entire population is arranged in a
particular order.

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Unit-7 Sampling

Activity

Visit a factory where there are unskilled, semiskilled and skilled

workers. If you have to choose a representative sample to examine

their job satisfaction level, which sampling design would you choose
for the study? Justify your answer.

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