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Best Practices for Random Sampling

The document outlines essential best practices for random sampling in research, emphasizing the importance of clearly defining the population, selecting an appropriate sample size, and choosing a suitable sampling method. It advises against convenience sampling due to potential bias and stresses the need for reproducibility by documenting methodologies. Overall, it provides strategic guidance for conducting reliable and valid research through effective sampling techniques.

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mente ethiopia
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18 views8 pages

Best Practices for Random Sampling

The document outlines essential best practices for random sampling in research, emphasizing the importance of clearly defining the population, selecting an appropriate sample size, and choosing a suitable sampling method. It advises against convenience sampling due to potential bias and stresses the need for reproducibility by documenting methodologies. Overall, it provides strategic guidance for conducting reliable and valid research through effective sampling techniques.

Uploaded by

mente ethiopia
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

RESEARCH DATA ANALYTICS

ESSENTIAL BEST
PRACTICES FOR
RANDOM
SAMPLING
SOMTO EZENWALIE
01 DEFINE YOUR
POPULATION WITH
CRYSTAL CLARITY
Before you sample a single person,
know EXACTLY who you're studying:

Who's included? Who's excluded?


What are the boundaries?
How will you access them?

Example: "All sickle cell patients in


steady state" is specific. "Sicklers’ " is
not.

SOMTO EZENWALIE
02 SIZE MATTERS IN
SAMPLING
Your sample size directly impacts
reliability:

Too small? Unreliable results.


Too large? Wasted resources.

Pro tip: Use sample calculators to


balance statistical power and
practical constraints. Each industry
has different benchmarks—know
yours!

SOMTO EZENWALIE
03 CHOOSE YOUR
SAMPLING METHOD
STRATEGICALLY
📌 Simple Random Sampling Perfect
for homogeneous populations where
everyone gets an equal shot.
📌 Systematic Sampling Great for
large databases—select every kth
entry after a random start.
📌 Stratified Sampling When
representation matters across
subgroups (think demographics).
📌 Cluster Sampling Ideal for
geographically dispersed populations
to save time and resources.

SOMTO EZENWALIE
RANDOMIZE LIKE YOUR
04 RESULTS DEPEND ON IT
True randomness doesn't
happen by accident:

Use verified random number


generators

Test your randomization


process

SOMTO EZENWALIE
AVOID THE SILENT
05 KILLER OF GOOD
RESEARCH
Avoid convenience sampling
unless unavoidable, as it
introduces bias

Use stratified sampling or


oversampling for
underrepresented groups to
ensure balanced
representation

Question: Would your sampling


method pass peer review? If not,
rethink it!
SOMTO EZENWALIE
DOCUMENT
06 EVERYTHING FOR
REPRODUCIBILITY
Your future self (and colleagues) will
thank you:
Record your complete
methodology
Note any deviations from the plan
Make your process replicable

As you should know, the mark of


professional research isn't just good
analysis/results—it's reproducible
results

SOMTO EZENWALIE
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ANALYTICS

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