Video – Sampling

Sampling. This video will help to understand the concept of sampling. Sampling is process or technique of selecting a suitable subset of a population. The goal is to determine population’s characteristics by observing them in a portion of the population. Technique depends on whether it is known and which chance of each element or case in the population has to be chosen. Target group and the population. The population itself consists on every individual in the entire population of the world. Target population is a group of a population that share similar characteristics. Sample is a small number of people that represent the characteristics of the entire population. Defining the target population.

It is critical to the success of the research project to clearly define the target population. Rely on logic and judgment. The population should be defined in connection with the objectives of the study. Technical terminology which needs to be considered while sampling. Target population, the population to be studied, or to which the investigator wants to generalize his results. Sampling unit is smallest unit from which sample can be selected. Sampling frame, list of all the sampling units from which sample is drawn. Sampling scheme is the method of selecting sample units from sampling frame. Census sample is also one of the form of sample.

A census study occurs if the entire population is very small or it is reasonable to include the entire population. When the sample consist the entire population, that is called census sample for various reason. It is called a census sample because data is gathered on every member of population. Why sampling? Getting information about the large population. Sample allows to collect the data on the basis of less cost involved, less field time consumed, more accuracy, that is, can do a better job of data collection to represent the entire population, and when it is impossible to study the whole population, sample provide the characteristics of that population. Why sample?

The population of interest is usually too large to attempt to survey all of its member. A carefully chosen sample can be used to represent the population. The sample reflects characteristics of the population from which it is drawn. Selecting sample. What is the target group? The set of cases that carry the necessary information to respond research question or to cover research objective. It can be entire population itself. What are the major considerations in designing a sample? Who to collect the sample from, where to collect the sample from, when to collect the sample from, and how to collect the sample from?

The key goal in sampling is to reduce the amount of data that needs to be collected, and to select a sample which is a representative sample. Sample size is also one of the important part while collecting a sample. What is your target population or target group needs to be defined. Formulate it precisely. The research question should be formulated precisely, so we know the target population beforehand. Are you talking to the right people to get the information you needed for your research? Can you reach them all? Can you reach all the individuals you require for a particular research? Does your sample reflect your population? Which method will you use to achieve your research objective?