Selecting samples - introduction

3 important questions on Selecting samples - introduction

Many researchers, for example Barnett (2002), argue that using sampling makes possible a higher overall accuracy than a census, why?

- The smaller number of cases for which you need to collect data means that more time can be spent designing and piloting the means of collecting these data.
- You can collect more detailed information
- you can afford higher-quality staff
- you can devote more time trying to obtain data from more difficult to reach cases.
- more time can be devoted to checking and testing the data for accuracy prior to analysis.

Sampling techniques available to you can be divided into two types:

- probability or representative sampling
- non probability sampling

What are non-probability samples?

The probability of each case being selected from the target population is not known, and it is impossible to answer research questions or to address objectives that require you to make statistical inferences about the characteristics of the population.

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