Statistical sampling is the process of studying the population by gathering information and

analyzing it. Statistical sampling is the basis of the great deal of information where the sample
space is large. It is used in various fields like psychology, marketing, politics etc. The statistical
research can take two different forms.
In the first, each and every unit of the field of survey called domain is studied and conclusions are
derived by computing the sum of all the units. This type of survey is called census survey, it is the
survey of the population.
In the second, only a unit in the field of survey is studied, this type of survey is called sample
survey. In this technique of survey, some units are taken as the representative of the whole field or
domain and the conclusions of these sample units are extended to the whole field.

Random Sampling Methods

Random Sampling is the most popular sampling method used for decision making. In these
methods, each item of the population has the same probability of being selected for consideration
as any other item. Random sampling may be achieved through computers or random number
tables created by Random number generators. Normally, a list of random individuals are generated
from a central database.
For examples: A hat contain ten numbers (0 to 9), Choosing a number out of a hat without seeing
in the hat.
A hat contain ten numbers (0 to 9), we have to choose two number out of a hat without seeing in
the hat,
The probability of choosing the first number is 1/10 and the second 1/9 because there are only
nine numbers left in the hat after choosing the first number. (This happens because sampling is
done without replacement)
Non Random Sampling Methods
Any sampling method where the sample members are not selected randomly is called non random
sampling. In non random sampling not every unit of the population has the same probability of
being selected into the sample. Members of the non random samples are not selected by chance.
Sometimes non random sampling is called non probability sampling.
There are four types of non-probability based sampling methods:
1. Convenience Sampling: This type of sampling is also called grab sampling or opportunity
sampling. A sample is chosen because it is convenient and readily available. This is the most

dangerous and unreliable way of sampling.

2. Judgement Sampling: These samples consist of items deliberately chosen from the population
on the basis of the experience and judgement of the researcher.
3. Quota Sampling: The population is divided into segments and quota of sampling units is
selected from each segment. Quotas fro various strata of the target population are set and an
interviewer samples until the quota is met.
4. Snowball Sampling: Snowball sampling is used to reach target population where the sampling
units are difficult to identify. Under snowball sampling, each identified member of the target
population is asked to identify other sampling units, belong to the same target population.
Types of Sampling Methods
From a given population, the samples are taken by various methods. Which method is the most
suitable for a problem, depends upon nature, scope and the investigator of the problem. Therefore,
the choice of the method in the selection of the sample must be made with a lot of care.
Some of the main methods of selecting a sample are as follows:
Deliberate or Purposive Sampling: In this method, the investigator has the complete freedom of
choosing his own sample. He selects certain items from the whole data and studies only them. So,
this is a simple technique of choosing the samples from the whole data and is useful when the
whole data is non heterogeneous and the investigator has full knowledge of the different aspect of
the problem.
Random Sampling: This can be taken as a special type of sampling in which each of the units
taken from the population has the equal chance of being selected as the sample. It means each unit
of the sample is equally likely to be selected from the population. This selection is in no way
influenced by personal bias and predilection of the investigator.
Systematic Sampling: This is a random sampling which has a system. From the entire data, one
sample is selected randomly and the subsequent samples are selected on a regular interval.
For example, suppose you want to choose 5 journals out of a group of 100.
As 1005 = 20, we should choose every 20th journal after selecting first random journal between 1
and 20. So, if the first random journal, is 10, then the subsequent journals are 30, 50, 70 and 90.
Stratified Sampling: This method of selecting sample is a mixture of the deliberate and random
sampling technique. This is a type of random sampling where the whole population is first of all
divided into small group that is termed as strata. Each of these strata is selected depending on
some common characteristics. Now a random sample is selected from each of the stratum in a
number that is proportional to the stratum's with respect to the population.

Quota Sampling: A mode of sampling in which a unit or group of units is selected to participate in
a research is called quota sampling. This method is not in much use. Here the whole population is
split into many blocks as the number of investigators, and each of them is asked to select an item
from the block and examine on it. The success of this depends on the professional competence of
all the investigators. All should work equal well to get this method a success.
Multi stage Sampling: It is a form of random sampling in which samples are selected by a series of
steps with the sampling portions constituting the sample at each step which is being selected from
the larger portions of the previously taken step.
Cluster Sampling: This is a form of random sampling in which instead of selecting each unit from
the whole population, the researcher selects a cluster and from each cluster, an individual is
selected by using simple or systematic random sampling.
Extensive sampling: This method is virtually same as census, only difference is that irrelevant or
inaccessible items are left out and the rest of the item are examined. For instance, if we have to
study the social behavior of the children, we may leave adults living with children from the study.
This method is similar to census survey and it is used rarely.
Convenient sampling: In this method investigator selects certain items from the population as per
his convenience. The researcher do no interfere or interfere partially to make sure that the sample
represents the population accurately. This is taken as non-scientific procedure and hence has no
value as a research technique.
The selection of a sampling method from the above mentioned methods depends upon the nature,
scope, number of units etc in a domain. The factor determining the choice of the method also
depends upon the accuracy and refinement and thus, is bounded up with the nature of domain
width.
Sampling Methods in Research
Sampling technique is very useful in the field of research. It has a great value in our day-to-day
life also. Sampling is concerned with the selection of a subset of individuals from within a
population to estimate characteristics of the whole population. Sampling is an inescapable feature
of most modern research. It is simply not practical to do research on all members of the
population. A range of the sampling methods is used in psychological research. They tend to trade
off costs against precision and important to understand the various compromises inherent in the
different sampling methods.
Cluster Sampling Method
Cluster sampling is also called Block sampling. In this method, the population is divided into
small groups called clusters. This method can be used whenever the population is homogeneous
and can be partitioned. A random sample is taken from one or more clusters and analyzed.

For examples: In a company, the director wants to know how many employees use company
transport. The company has eighty thousands employees. He divides company employees into ten
groups or clusters and considers one group of eight thousands employees, among them nine
hundred are using their own transport rest are using company transport. So based on this sample
the director of the company analyzed how many employees are using company transport.
Survey Sampling Methods
Sampling method refers to the way that observations are selected from a population to be in the
sample for a sample survey. Survey sampling describes the process of selecting a sample of
elements from a target population in order to conduct a survey.
Survey samples can be divided into two types:
Probability samples
Non-probability samples.
Probability Samples: The main types of probability sampling methods are simple random
sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, multistage sampling, and systematic random
sampling. With probability sampling methods, each population element has a known chance of
being chosen for the sample.
Non-probability Samples: Two main types of non-probability sampling methods are voluntary
samples and convenience samples. With non-probability sampling, we cannot specify the
probability that each element will be included in the sample. Some common examples of nonprobability sampling are judgement Samples, Snowball Samples, Quota Samples and Convenience
Samples.
Qualitative Sampling Methods
In qualitative research sampling can be more complicated than in quantitative research.
Qualitative research observe everything within their field of study. The probability sampling
techniques used for quantitative studies are rarely appropriate when conducting qualitative
research.
Quantitative Sampling Methods
Choosing a study sample is an important step in any research project since it is rarely practical and
efficient to study whole populations. The aim of all quantitative sampling approaches is to draw a
representative sample from the population, so that the results of studying the sample can then be
generalized back to the population.