After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
Understand why you need to sample the population Know the basic terminology Understand the differences between probability and non-probability sampling Apply the appropriate sampling technique Determine the sample size Understand the factors that could affect the sample size in any study Understand the different types of errors in research
The population is dynamic, i.e. the component of the
population could change over time. Thus, it is practically impossible to check all items in the population. The cost of studying the entire population could be very high. A sample study is usually less expensive than a census study. Contacting the whole population would often be time-consuming. Sampling can save time as the results can be produced at a relatively faster speed.
Each member of the population is known as element. The total number of elements in the population is known as population size and it is denoted by “N”. The sample is the subset of the population. Each member of the sample is known as subject. The total number of subjects in the sample is known as sample size and it is denoted by “n”.
The characteristics of the population are known as parameters whereas the characteristics of the sample are known as statistics. 9.2.4 Sampling Frame It is a complete listing of the population of interest from which the sample is drawn. All members of the sampling frame have a probability of being selected.
number of elements from the population, so that a study of the sample and understanding of its properties or characteristics would make it possible for us to generalize such properties or characteristics to the population elements.
Precision refers to how close our estimate is to the true population characteristics. We estimate the population parameter to fall within a range based on the sample estimate. 9.4.2 Variability in Data The smaller the dispersion or variability, the greater the probability that the sample mean will be closer to the population mean.
The level of confidence denotes how certain we are that our estimates will really hold true for the population. 9.4.4 Sample Data, Precision and Confidence in Estimation Precision and confidence play a vital role in sampling as we use sample data to draw inferences about the entire population.
Let us suppose, the Branch Manager of the Shah Alam branch of CIMB bank wants to be 95% confident that the expected monthly withdrawals in the bank will be within a confidence interval of ±RM400.
due to the selection of some units and non- selection of other units into the sample. Non-sampling Error—This is the effect of various errors made by the interviewers, data entry operator or the researcher himself when doing the sampling.