Course Title: Experimental design and data analysis

Topic: Sampling Methods

Course objectives:
Students should be able to:
 Distinguish between the different sampling methods
 Identify and apply an appropriate sampling method suited to the
experimental design and research questions
Brief Topic Introduction

Sampling is that part of statistical practice concerned with the

selection of individual observations intended to yield some
knowledge about a population of concern, especially for the
purposes of statistical inference. Sampling is widely used for
gathering information about a population. By studying a small
group (sample) selected at random, one obtains information on
variables of interest to a larger group (universe), thus permitting
inferences as to the behaviour of these variables within the
universe
Sampling

 Sampling is that part of statistical practice concerned with the

selection of individual observations intended to yield some
knowledge about a population of concern, especially for the
purposes of statistical inference.

 Sampling is widely used for gathering information about a

population.

 By studying a small group (sample) selected at random, one

obtains information on variables of interest to a larger group
(universe), thus permitting inferences as to the behaviour of these
variables within the universe
Sampling universe

 This also commonly referred to as the population and is

defined as a set of individuals, objects or items upon which
a numerical measurement is taken or an observation of a
particular characteristic is made.
 It can be expressed in:
– Geographical terms (municipality, university(ies) district, province,
country )
– Sectoral terms (urban population, University students, sugarcane
farmers)
 It is also necessary to place temporal and spatial limits on
the definition of the universe, because its composition and
characteristics can change over time and space.
Sampling frame

 Information that locates and defines the dimensions of the universe

 May consist of a list, directory, index, or housing censuses from

which a sample can be selected

 In behavioural or sero-prevalence study, possible sampling frames

include student nominal rolls, registration or even telephone numbers

 A frame may also provide additional 'auxiliary information' which

may be used to improve survey design, e.g. a student nominal roll
might include sex, year of study, faculty, residence status of
students. This information can be used to ensure that a sample taken
from that frame covers all demographic categories of interest
Sampling unit

 This is the minimum unit of observation for information on the

operative variables.
 The sampling unit must be clearly defined for constructing the
sampling frame.
 By convention in statistics, N is used to refer to the number of
sampling units making up the universe, and a n for the number of
sampling units in the sample itself.
 The sampling unit for a sero-prevalence or behavioural study among
university students is the individual student

Watch Video 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymdHmTYGczk
Discussion Forum (graded Activity)

Discuss why the sample universe, sampling frame, sampling unit,

and randomness are important principles in the sampling process

 Join the discussion

Types of sampling

 There are different types of sampling, but all are based

on the principle of randomness. The sample must be
representative of the universe; and this is achieved by
its randomness and adequate size. All the elements
making up the universe must have the same chance of
being selected from the sample. The sampling
technique has some advantages over complete
coverage called the census method.
Simple random sampling

 This is a sample in which each member of the population has an

equal chance of being chosen.
 If the population we are considering is small, we can allot a number to
a card or bottle top, which are then place in a container and then
mixed thoroughly, and the required sample size (number) picked
from the lot.
 When population is large, you can use tables of random numbers.
Such numbers may be obtained from books of tables of random
numbers, telephone directory or a computer can be used to produce
sets of random numbers
Watch Video 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5KZi5QArQ
Stratified sampling

 Population is divided into strata and a simple random sample is

selected from each stratum, making it possible to make reliable
estimates for each stratum as well as for the population as a whole.

 Advantage is that the chances of picking a deviant sample are smaller,

and therefore estimates of population values are much more precise

 The major limitation is that it requires advance knowledge of the

important factors (e.g. sex, year of study, faculty) within the
population, and their relative proportions.

Watch Video 3:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYRUYJYOpG0&t=182s
Systematic sampling

 Sometimes called interval sampling, means that there is a gap, or interval,

between each selected unit in the sample. In order to select a systematic
sample, you need to follow theses steps:

 Number the units on your frame 1 to n (where n is the total population

size).

 Determine the sampling interval (K) by dividing the number of units in the
population by the desired sample size.

 Select a number between one and K at random. This number is called the
random start and would be the first number included in your sample.

 Select every Kth (e.g., every fifth) unit after that first number.

Watch Video 4:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFoisfSZs8I&t=16s
Cluster sampling

 Cluster sampling divides population into groups or clusters.

 A number of clusters are selected randomly to represent the
total population
 All units within selected clusters are included in the sample.
 No units from non-selected clusters are included in the sample
 Examples of clusters are: universities, schools, electoral
subdivisions.
 Appropriate in reducing costs
Watch video 5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOxXy-I6ogs
Class Assignment (Graded Activity)

1. Identify the commonalities and differences between the

different sampling methods
2. Design a simple experiment where you would used stratified
sampling technique

 Submission guidelines:
i. Download the following document and complete the questions
included.
ii. Download activity submission document

1. Note: You must upload your submission to receive a mark

Conclusion

 In conclusion, sampling enables the selection of right data

points from within the larger data set to estimate the
characteristics of the whole population. As you engage in
research, you are likely to experience other sampling
techniques not covered under this lesson.
References

 Cochran W.G. (1963). Sampling techniques, 2nd edition. New

York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc
 Cochran W.G. (1977). Sampling techniques, 3rd edition. New
York: John Wiley and Sons.
 Daniel, W.W. (1999). Biostatistics. A foundation for Analysis in
the health Sciences. 7th edition. New York: John Wiley and Sons
 http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/steps/glossary/sampling.html

https://www.dropbox.com/preview/Ogol-Sampling-December-
2018.ppt?role=personal