Sampling Method
To draw valid conclusions from your results, you have to carefully decide how you will
select a sample that is representative of the group as a whole.
It should be representative researchers to draw conclusions about the wider population
and to approximate a bigger population on factors pertinent to the study subject.
Two primary types of sampling methods:
Probability sampling involves random selection, allowing you to make strong statistical
inferences about the whole group.
Non-probability sampling involves non-random selection based on convenience or other
criteria, allowing you to easily collect data.
Population vs. Sample
The population is the entire group that you want to draw conclusions about.
The sample is the specific group of individuals that you will collect data from.
Sampling frame
The sampling frame is the actual list of individuals that the sample will be drawn from.
Ideally, it should include the entire target population (and nobody who is not part of that
population).
Sample size
The number of individuals you should include in your sample depends on various factors,
including the size and variability of the population and your research design
Probability sampling methods
Probability sampling means that every member of the population has a chance of being
selected. It is mainly used in quantitative research.
Four main types of probability sample:
1. Simple random sample- Every member of the population has an equal chance of being
selected. To conduct this type of sampling, you can use tools like random number
generators or other techniques that are based entirely on chance.
2. Systematic sampling- It is similar to simple random sampling, but it is usually slightly
easier to conduct. Every member of the population is listed with a number, but instead of
randomly generating numbers, individuals are chosen at regular intervals.
3. Stratified sampling- It involves dividing the population into subpopulations that may
differ in important ways. It allows you draw more precise conclusions by ensuring that
every subgroup is properly represented in the sample.
4. Cluster sampling- It involves dividing the population into subgroups, but each subgroup
should have similar characteristics to the whole sample. Instead of sampling individuals
from each subgroup, you randomly select entire subgroups.
Non-probability sampling methods
In a non-probability sample, individuals are selected based on non-random criteria, and
not every individual has a chance of being included. This type of sample is easier and cheaper to
access, but it has a higher risk of sampling bias.
Non-probability sampling techniques are often used in exploratory and qualitative
research.
Five main types of probability sample:
1. Convenience sampling-It simply includes the individuals who happen to be most
accessible to the researcher. This is an easy and inexpensive way to gather initial data,
but there is no way to tell if the sample is representative of the population, so it can’t
produce generalizable results.
2. Voluntary response sampling- It is mainly based on ease of access. Instead of the
researcher choosing participants and directly contacting them, people volunteer
themselves.
3. Purposive sampling- This type of sampling, also known as judgement sampling,
involves the researcher using their expertise to select a sample that is most useful to the
purposes of the research.
4. Snowball sampling- If the population is hard to access, snowball sampling can be used
to recruit participants via other participants. The number of people you have access to
“snowballs” as you get in contact with more people.
5. Quota sampling- It relies on the non-random selection of a predetermined number or
proportion of units. The aim of quota sampling is to control what or who makes up your
sample.
Measurement
The process of describing some property of a phenomenon under study and assigning a
numerical value to it. Measurement is considered as the foundation of scientific inquiry.
We can measure height, weight, length, width, income etc., (quantitative measurement)
and at the same time, we can measure attitude, personality, perception, intelligence, preference
(qualitative measurement).
The level of measurement is determined by how refined, exact, and precise a construct is
in our assumptions about it. This means that how we conceptualize a construct carries serious
implications. It influences how we can measure the construct and restricts the range of statistical
procedures that we can use after we have gathered data.
There are four hierarchical levels of measurement:
1. Nominal Scale- This is a method of measuring the objects or events into a discrete
category. This is regarded as the most basic form of measurement. So it is a categorical
data or qualitative data.
2. Ordinal Scale- Here the “Ordinal” is the indication of “Order”. It measure according to
the rank order of the data without considering the degree of difference between the data.
We assign a numerical value to the variables based on their relative ranking or
positioning in comparison with other data in that group.
3. Interval Scale- It is the next higher level of measurement. It overcomes the limitation of
ordinal scale measurement. In the interval scale, the difference between the two variables
has a meaningful interpretation. In the interval scale, the difference between variables is
equal distance.
4. Ratio scale- It purely quantitative. Ratio scale is the most precise. This is the unique
quality of ratio scale data. It represents all the characteristics of nominal, ordinal, and
interval scales.
References:
Levels of Measurement, Research Methods Knowledge Base [Link]
measurement/
Sampling Methods: Types, Techniques & Examples, June 22, 2023
[Link]
Scale and Measurement in Research Methodology, April 05, 2020 [Link]
and-scale-in-research-methodology/
[Link]
[Link]