Simple random sampling
In simple random sampling, each member of the population under study has an equal chance of
being selected and the probability of a member of the population being selected is unaffected by
the selection of other members of the population, i.e. each selection is entirely independent of the
next. The method involves selecting at random from a list of the population (a sampling frame)
the required number of subjects for the sample. This can be done by drawing names out of a
container until the required number is reached, or by using a table of random numbers set out in
matrix form (these are reproduced in many books on quantitative research methods and
statistics), and allocating these random numbers to participants or cases (Hopkins et al. 1996).
Systematic sampling
Selection occurs at regular intervals from an ordered list. It involves selecting subjects from a
population list in a systematic rather than a random fashion ((e.g., every 10 th, 15th or 20th name).
For example, if from a population of, say, 2,000, a sample of 100 is required, then every
twentieth person can be selected. The starting point for the selection is chosen at random. One
can decide how frequently to make systematic sampling by a simple statistic – the total number
of the wider population being represented divided by the sample size required (Creswell, 2018):
f = N/sn
f = frequency interval
N = the total number of the wider population
sn = the required number in the sample.
Cluster sampling is a method where you divide your whole population into groups, called
clusters — usually based on location or some natural grouping. Then, you randomly pick some
of these clusters and include everyone within those clusters in your study.
Stratified Sampling: The population is divided into strata (e.g., income levels, farming type),
and samples are taken from each stratum to ensure all groups are represented.
Non-Probability Sampling Techniques
In these methods, not all individuals have a known chance of being selected. Some examples of
non-probability sampling techniques are convenience sampling (selecting individuals who are
easiest to access), purposive sampling (choosing specific individuals based on particular
characteristics), and snowball sampling (existing participants help recruit more participants).