Statistics Flashcards
Three methods of Random Sampling
1- simple random sampling
2- systematic sampling
3- stratified sampling
State what a simple random sample is
A simple random sample of size ‘n’ is one where every individual sample has an equal chance of being selected.
- e.g. group of people are allocated a number and a selection of these numbers are chosen at random
Two methods of choosing the unique numbers when simple random sampling
- generating random numbers using a calculator, computer or random number table
- lottery sampling names on IDENTICAL tickets drawn from a ‘hat’
State what systematic sampling is
The required elements are chosen at regular intervals from an ordered list.
- e.g. if you needed a sample size of 20, and you had population of 100, you would take every 5th person in that population (100 / 20 = 5) ….. NOTE: the first person to be chosen should be chosen at RANDOM.
- e.g. if 2nd person, then the next sampled people would be 7, 12, 17, etc…..
State what stratified sampling is
the population is divided into mutually exclusive strata (males and females, age range categories etc) and a random sample is taken from each.
What should you remember about each strata sampled in stratified sampling
The proportion of each strata sampled must be the same.
-e.g. if there are 150 in a population (100 males and 50 females) and 75 were required to be sampled, then there should be 50 males and 25 females in the sample
State the formula used to calculate the number of people we should sample from each stratum
number sampled in a stratum = (number in stratum / number in population ) x overall required sample size
Advantages of simple random sampling (3)
- free of bias
- easy and cheap to implement for small populations and small samples
- each sampling unit has a known and equal chance of selection
Disadvantages of simple random sampling (2)
- not suitable when the population size or sample size is too large
- a sampling frame is needed
Advantages of systematic sampling (2)
- simple and quick to use
- suitable for large samples and large populations
Disadvantages of systematic sampling (2)
- a sampling frame is needed
- it can introduce bias if the sampling frame is not random
Advantages of stratified sampling (2)
- sample accurately reflects the population structure
- guarantees proportional representation of certain groups within a population
Disadvantages of stratified sampling (2)
- population must be clearly classified into distinct strata (strata meaning - groups/categories)
- selection within each stratum suffers from the same disadvantages as simple random sampling (not suitable when population/sample is too large + sampling frame needed)
Two types of non-random sampling
- quota sampling
- opportunity sampling
State what quota sampling is
When an interviewer or researcher selects a sample that reflects the characteristics of the whole population.
How quota sampling works
Population divided into groups according to a given characteristic.
The size of each group determines the proportion of the sample that should have that characteristic.
State what opportunity sampling is
It consists of taking the sample from people who are available at the time the study is carried out and who fit the criteria you’re looking for.
-e.g. first 20 people you meet outside a supermarket on a Monday morning who are carrying shopping bags
Advantages of quota sampling (4)
- allows a small sample to still be representative of the population
- no sampling frame needed
- quick, easy, inexpensive
- allows for easy comparison between different groups within a population
Disadvantages of quota sampling (4)
- non-random sampling can introduce bias
- population must be divided into groups, which can be costly or inaccurate
- increasing scope of study increases number of groups, which adds time and expense
- non-responses are not recorded as such
Advantages of opportunity sampling (2)
- easy to carry out
- inexpensive
Disadvantages of opportunity sampling (2)
- unlikely to provide a representative sample
- highly dependent on individual researcher
What are data/variables with numerical observations called?
QUANTITATIVE data/variables
-e.g. shoe size are in numbers