Introduction Why Sampling???

? The population is too large for researchers to consider collecting information from all its members. More time Cost is too high If the whole population is taken there is no need of statistical inference. Sampling The process of selecting a number of individuals for a study in such a way that the individuals represent the larger group from which they were selected The purpose for sampling To gather data about the population in order to make an inference that can be generalized to the population

TERMINOLOGY Sample Is the representatives selected for a study whose characteristics exemplify the larger group from which they were selected Population Is the larger group from which individuals are selected to participate in a study The population for the study is composed of two groups- The target population and the accessible population. Target population The entire group of people or objects to which the researcher wishes to generalize the findings of the study. Accessible population/ study population The portion of the target population available to which the researcher has reasonable access and the sample is obtained. Subject Person is referred to as subject of the sample. Sampling plan The formal plan specifying a sampling and method, a sample size, and the procedure of selecting the subjects. Sampling bias Distortion that arises when a sample is not representative of the population from which it was drawn. CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD SAMPLE 1- Representative:- a representative sample is one that the key characteristics of which are closely related to those of the population.

2- Free from bias and errors:- a good sample is one which is free from deliberate selection of the subjects for study. 3- No substitution and incompleteness:A sample is said to be good if once a subject is selected for the study it is neither replaced nor it is incomplete in any aspect of researchers interest. 4- Appropriate sample size:Generally it is believed that in quantitative studies the larger the sample size, better is the probability of the goodness of the sample. ADVANTAGES OF SAMPLING It involves a smaller amount of subjects, which reduces investment in time and money. Sampling can actually be more accurate than studying an entire population, because it affords researchers a lot more control over the subjects. Statistical manipulations are much easier with smaller data sets, and it is easier to avoid human error when in putting and analyzing the data. DISADVANTAGE OF SAMPLING Chances of bias: This may be because the researcher selects subjects that are more likely to give the desired results, or that the subjects tend to select themselves. Difficulty in getting representative sample Sampling requires a knowledge of statistics, FACTORS INFLUENCING SAMPLING PROCESS 1- Nature of the researcher: Inexperienced investigator Lack of interest Lack of honesty

2- Nature of the sample: Inappropriate sampling technique Sample size 3- Circumstances: Lack of time Large geographical areal Lack of cooperation SAMPLING PROCESS /STAGES Identifying and defining the target population. Describing the accessible population. Specify the sampling unit. [Inclusion and exclusion criteria] Determining the sample size Specifying sample selection methods 1. Identifying and defining the target population Identify the group of interest and its characteristics to which the findings of the study will be generalized called the target population (the ideal selection) oftentimes the accessible or available population must be used (the realistic selection) 2. Determining the sample size The size of the sample influences both the representativeness of the sample and the statistical analysis of the data larger samples are more

likely to detect a difference between different groups smaller samples are more likely not to be representative Rules of thumb for determining the sample size... For smaller samples (N 100), there is little point in sampling. Survey the entire population. If the population size is around 500 (give or take 100), 50% should be sampled. If the population size is around 1500, 20% should be sampled. Beyond a certain point (N = 5000), the population size is almost irrelevant and a sample size of 400 may be adequate.

3. Specifying sample selection methods A process by which the researcher attempts to ensure that the sample is representative of the population from which it is to be selected it requires identifying the sampling method that will be used