Aguila, Paulo Timothy
III-BSA
STATISICAL ANALYSIS
(1) PROBABILITY SAMPLING:
Probability sampling is defined as a sampling technique in which the researcher chooses samples from
a larger population using a method based on the theory of probability. For a participant to be considered
as a probability sample, he/she must be selected using a random selection.
The most critical requirement of probability sampling is that everyone in your population has a known
and equal chance of getting selected. For example, if you have a population of 100 people, every
person would have odds of 1 in 100 for getting selected. Probability sampling gives you the best chance
to create a sample that is truly representative of the population.
Types of probability sampling:
(a) Simple random sample
• is a randomly selected subset of a population. In this sampling method, each member of the
population has an exactly equal chance of being selected. This method is the most straightforward of all
the probability sampling methods, since it only involves a single random selection and requires little
advance knowledge about the population. Because it uses randomization, any research performed on
this sample should have high internal and external validity.
Example:
The American Community Survey (ACS) uses simple random sampling. Officials from the United
States Census Bureau follow a random selection of individual inhabitants of the United States for a
year, asking detailed questions about their lives in order to draw conclusions about the whole
population of the US.
(b) Stratified Random Sampling:
Stratified random sampling is a type of probability sampling using which a research organization can
branch off the entire population into multiple non-overlapping, homogeneous groups (strata) and
randomly choose final members from the various strata for research which reduces cost and improves
efficiency. Members in each of these groups should be distinct so that every member of all groups get
equal opportunity to be selected using simple probability. This sampling method is also called “random
quota sampling”.
Age, socioeconomic divisions, nationality, religion, educational achievements and other such
classifications fall under stratified random sampling.
Let’s consider a situation where a research team is seeking opinions about religion amongst various age
groups. Instead of collecting feedback from 326,044,985 U.S citizens, random samples of around
10000 can be selected for research. These 10000 citizens can be divided into strata according to age,i.e,
groups of 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 and above. Each stratum will have distinct members and
number of members.
(c) Cluster sampling
• is a probability sampling technique where researchers divide the population into multiple groups
(clusters) for research. Researchers then select random groups with a simple random or systematic
random sampling technique for data collection and data analysis.
Example: Consider a scenario where an organization is looking to survey the performance of
smartphones across Germany. They can divide the entire country’s population into cities (clusters) and
select further towns with the highest population and also filter those using mobile devices.
Types of Cluster sampling:
(1)Single-stage cluster sampling:
As the name suggests, sampling is done just once. An example of single-stage cluster sampling – An
NGO wants to create a sample of girls across five neighboring towns to provide education. Using
single-stage sampling, the NGO randomly selects towns (clusters) to form a sample and extend help to
the girls deprived of education in those towns.
(2)Two-stage cluster sampling:
Here, instead of selecting all the elements of a cluster, only a handful of members are chosen from each
group by implementing systematic or simple random sampling. An example of two-stage cluster
sampling – A business owner wants to explore the performance of his/her plants that are spread across
various parts of the U.S. The owner creates clusters of the plants.
He/she then selects random samples from these clusters to conduct research.
(3) Multiple stage cluster sampling:
Multiple-stage cluster sampling takes a step or a few steps further than two-stage sampling.
For conducting effective research across multiple geographies, one needs to form complicated clusters
that can be achieved only using the multiple-stage sampling technique. An example of Multiple stage
sampling by clusters – An organization intends to survey to analyze the performance of smartphones
across Germany. They can divide the entire country’s population into cities (clusters) and select cities
with the highest population and also filter those using mobile devices.
(d) Systematic sampling
• is a probability sampling method in which researchers select members of the population at a regular
interval (or k) determined in advance. If the population order is random or random-like (e.g.,
alphabetical), then this method will give
