Fundamental Steps to Sampling, Essay Example

The first step in selecting a sample is defining the population. This means determining the set of people from whom data is desired to be collected. This is fundamental since the results of the study can be expected to be valid only for the population that was defined. Without a clearly defined population, it becomes confusing for whom the results of a certain study are supposed to be true for. The definition of a population may be broad, such as male cigarette smokers. However, such a broad definition as that may require a researcher to gather a sample from a vast if not worldwide area. A more limited definition of a population, such as male smokers in a specific city, may prove to me more feasible.

The second fundamental step in sampling is determining the sample size. The determination of the sample size depends on the population, the design of the study, and the level of accuracy that the researcher wishes to achieve. As a general rule regardless of the design selected, the greater the sample size, the more closely the data from that sample would represented the data that would have been gathered if the entire population was considered. Quantitative designs require for sample sizes to be computed based on population size and the level of confidence that the researcher wishes to achieve about the data gathered. This is not imposed by the qualitative design. Instead, it mandates that the sample size should be increased to a point that no new information is being gathered anymore.

The last step is selected the appropriate sampling technique. For quantitative designs, probabilistic sampling techniques are required. These techniques, such as simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, or cluster sampling ensure that each member of the population has more or less an equal chance of being selected as part of the sample. Qualitative designs on the other hand use convenience sampling, quota sampling, and snowball sampling which are techniques that do not give equal opportunity of selection for each member of the population.