Evaluating Samples

Samples are evaluated according to procedure rather

than final composition
Response Rate, Sample Size and sampling Errors are the
factors for evaluating Samples

Sampling vs Non-Sampling Error

Sampling error
This error arises when a sample is not
representative of the population.
Arises due to estimating population
parameters only by selecting few units
Difference between sample value and
true value of population mean

Methods of Minimizing Sampling

Errors
Increase Sample Size
Cross Check
Unbiased Sampling
Appropriate Sampling Design
Clear Questionaire

Non-sampling error: This error arises not because a sample is

not a representative of the population but because of other
reasons.
Some
of
these
reasons
are
listed
below:
Plain lying by the respondent.

Inaccurate
reporting
by
respondent
( Biased guess, Inaccurate memory, Poor
recall)
The error can arise while transferring the data
from the questionnaire to the spreadsheet on
the computer.
There can be errors at the time of coding,
tabulation and computation.
Population of the study is not properly defined

Respondent may refuse to be part of the

study.

There may be a sampling frame error.

Measuring Errors
Respondent related errors
Over and under coverage
Errors of researcher

Methods of Minimizing Non

Sampling Errors
Restrict the Questionnaire to data essential to the main issue
Pre test Questionnaire
Pilot Survey
Make an effort to minimize participants fatigue
Use competent manpower
Establish procedures for keeping both respondent and interviewer
involved in the study
Dont ask the interviewer to do the impossible
Effective checking of all the steps in the process and analysis of data
Check out, whether the essential elements are left or unnecessary
elements are included or elements are repeated

Sample Size
Heterogeneity: need larger sample to study more
diverse population
Desired precision: need larger sample to get smaller
error
Sampling design: smaller if stratified, larger if cluster
Nature of analysis: complex multivariate statistics need
larger samples
Accuracy of sample depends upon sample size, not
ratio of sample to population

Sampling in Practice
Often a non-random selection of basic sampling frame
(city, organization etc.)
Fit between sampling frame and research goals must be
evaluated
Sampling frame as a concept is relevant to all kinds of
research (including nonprobability)
Nonprobability sampling means you cannot generalize
beyond the sample
Probability sampling means you can generalize to the
population defined by the sampling frame