Universe: It refers to all the items in any field of enquiry or study. It is denoted by n.

Population The total of items about which information is desired. The attributes that are the object of the study are referred to as characteristics and the units possessing such characteristics are called elementary units or sample units. The aggregate of such units is called the population. The population or universe may be finite or infinite. Finite Population The population is said to be finite, if it consists of a fixed number of elements or units so that it is possible to enumerate it in totality. For example, all workers in a factory, all students in a class. Infinite Population An infinite population is that population in which, it is theoretically impossible to observe all the elements or units. Thus, in an infinite population the number of items is infinite. For example, the number of stars in the sky, the number of fish in the ocean, and the like. Sample A few units in the universe or population is called sample. The selected respondents from the infinite or finite population is technically called sample. Sampling The other names for sampling are sampling technique, sample design sampling plan, and sampling method. The way in which samples are selected is called sampling or sample design. It is a plan the researcher would adopt in selecting items for the sample from a given population. Sampling design is determined before any data are collected. Sampling Unit A decision has to be taken concerning a sample unit before selecting sample. Sampling unit may be: (i) Geographical unit-Eg: State, district, village, etc. (ii) Construction unit-Eg: House, flat, etc. (iii) Social unit- Eg: Family, club, school or individual Statistic(s) and Parameter(s) A statistic is a characteristic of a sample. A parameter is a characteristic of a population. To obtain the estimate of a parameter from a statistic constitutes the prime objective of sampling analysis Sampling Error In a sample survey there would naturally be a certain amount of inaccuracy in the information collected. This inaccuracy may be termed as sampling error. It is due to frame error, chance error, and response error. Sample Size This refers to the number of items to be selected from the universe to constitute a sample. It is denoted by (n). Optimum Sample It is a sample which fulfils the requirements of efficiency, representativeness, reliability and flexibility. Census All the items in any field of enquiry constitute a universe or population. One may ask what the difference between universes is and census, the answer is that census may be

population or universe of any field of enquiry or study. A complete enumeration (listing) of all items in the population is known as census enquiry. Census Survey The study of all the items of population or sampling frame is called census survey. Sample Survey The study conducted with a few items of sample is called sample survey. Homogeneous Population The elements or units having same qualities or characteristics. Heterogeneous Population The elements or units with different characteristics or qualities. NEED FOR SAMPLING 1. Saves Time: It is not possible to study all the units of the universe or population. Hence, the representative units of the universe are taken up for the study because the sample results reflect the characteristics of universe and saves time thus. 2. Economy of Resources: Since in sampling method we make a selective study of the representative unit, we have the advantage of saving resources. Although we save the resources yet we get the same results as are achieved after the study of entire universe. 3. Detailed Study: Because in the sampling method the area of study is small and so it is possible to make a detailed and intensive study. 4. Accuracy of Results: Through sample, we have the advantage of detailed and intensive study and so the results are generally more accurate and reliable. Accuracy is achieved more because the area of the study is small and so we are able to control all possible situations that are required for the study. 5. Administrative Convenience: Social research generally deals with human beings and social groups who have their own ways. If the group that we are studying is large, it is not possible to put them together and make a proper study. In sampling method since the area of the study is small, it is possible to carry out the work in an efficient manner. Thus sampling method is considered efficient from administrative point of view. 6. Difficulties in Census Method are not Faced: As we have already seen, census method implies the study of the entire population. The field of social groups, and so the census method of study is not only difficult but sometimes impossible. The sampling method meets the difficulties of the census method and makes the impossibilities of the method possible.