Sampling Flashcards
Define sample surveys
Data are collected from a fraction of the population in order to make inferences about the total population from which the sample was take
Name four importance of samples
It is fast For research Cost effective Due to limited resources(manpower) Saves time
Name five characteristics of a good sample
- (i) Representative,
- (ii) Selected at random to minimize bias,
- (iii) Large enough to increase precision
- (iv) Covered adequately and
- (v) used with a good research design.
Name the types of sampling with their subsets
Probability sampling. –Simple Random Sampling (SRS) –Systematic sampling –Cluster sampling –Multistage sampling
•Non Probability sampling
–Quota sampling
–Snowball sampling
Difference between parameter and statistics
Standard deviation on a sample- statistic or the descriptive numerical measures computed from a sample selected from the population
Standard deviation of a population- parameter Or the descriptive numerical
Measures computed from the population
Define accuracy and precision
Accuracy- how close a measurement or an attempt is to the actual value
Precision- how consistent results are regardless of proximity to the actual value
Something can be precise but won’t be accurate
Define sampling
Process of selecting a number of study units from a. Defined study population
Define probability smoking
I
nvolves random selection procedures to ensure that each unit of the sample is choosing on the basis of chance
Define sample frame
The entire list of all the sampling members or units in the population from which the sample is to be taken.
Define sampling unit
The individual members of the population ie the units which constitutes the sampling frame
Define simple random sampling
The method ensures that each member of the population has equal chance of being selected into the sample.
- There are two ways of obtaining a SRS
- (i) BALLOTING and
- (ii). use of RANDOM DIGIT TABLE
Define systematic sampling
It selects the sample at intervals,
- using sampling interval ‘k’ and selecting every kth item in the list
- starting with an item between 1 and ‘k’ selected at random.
- The method is useful when there is a list of items in the population or if
- elements or items are arranged in rows like houses along a street. or
- patients arriving at a health service
Define cluster sampling
The sample is selected in groups instead of individual sampling units.
- Heads of households in villages.
- The villages are selected at random and within each village, all the sampling units are used.
Stratified sampling definition
STRATIFICATION
•Stratified sampling is used to separate heterogeneous population into homogeneous strata for sampling. within each stratum, any of the above sampling procedure can be used.
–The sub sample size can be selected according to the proportion i.e. proportional allocation, or equal sample size, or the use of optimum allocation.
Define multi stage sampling
•The final sample is obtained by random sampling of bigger units and then further sub sampling of smaller units within the selected bigger units of the previous sampling –For example, •Regions, •Districts, and •Villages.
Define quota sampling
The design divides the population into groups, the quota of subjects for the study are calculated to make sure that the proportion in the sample should agree with the corresponding proportion in the population.
State three disadvantages of quota sampling
The choice for the sample members are left to the interviewer
•Problem of selection bias
•No means of calculating the sampling error
•Conceals the problem of non response
Define snowball sampling
Snowball technique
–Relies on previously identified group members to identify other members of the population. As names are added, the sample grows like a snowball:
–A study of illicit drug users, illegal aliens, prostitutes and community opinion leaders.
Define purposive or judgemental sampling
This is a deliberate non-random method of sampling, which aims to sample a group of people or setting with a particular characters
–Drivers at a lorry station.
Name three ways a questionnaire can be designed for
it can be designed for mail,
•telephone or
•person to person interview