What is sampling?
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A shortcut method for investigating a whole population
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Data is gathered on a small part of the whole parent population or sampling frame, and used to inform what the whole picture is like
Why sample?
In reality there is simply not enough; time, energy, money, labour/man power, equipment, access to suitable sites to measure every single item or site within the parent population or whole sampling frame.
Therefore an appropriate sampling strategy is adopted to obtain a representative, and statistically valid sample of the whole.
Sampling considerations
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Larger sample sizes are more accurate representations of the whole
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The sample size chosen is a balance between obtaining a statistically valid representation, and the time, energy, money, labour, equipment and access available
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A sampling strategy made with the minimum of bias is the most statistically valid
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Most approaches assume that the parent population has a normal distribution where most items or individuals clustered close to the mean, with few extremes
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A 95% probability or confidence level is usually assumed, for example 95% of items or individuals will be within plus or minus two standard deviations from the mean
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This also means that up to five per cent may lie outside of this - sampling, no matter how good can only ever be claimed to be a very close estimate
Sampling techniques
Three main types of sampling strategy:
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Random
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Systematic
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Stratified
Within these types, you may then decide on a; point, line, area method.
Random sampling
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Least biased of all sampling techniques, there is no subjectivity - each member of the total population has an equal chance of being selected
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Can be obtained using random number tables
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Microsoft Excel has a function to produce random number
The function is simply:
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=RAND()
Type that into a cell and it will produce a random number in that cell. Copy the formula throughout a selection of cells and it will produce random numbers.
You can modify the formula to obtain whatever range you wish, for example if you wanted random numbers from one to 250, you could enter the following formula:
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=INT(250*RAND())+1
Where INT eliminates the digits after the decimal, 250* creates the range to be covered, and +1 sets the lowest number in the range.
Paired numbers could also be obtained using;
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=INT(9000*RAND())+1000
These can then be used as grid coordinates, metre and centimetre sampling stations along a transect, or in any feasible way.
Methodology
A. Random point sampling
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A grid is drawn over a map of the study area
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Random number tables are used to obtain coordinates/grid references for the points
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Sampling takes place as feasibly close to these points as possible
B. Random line sampling
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Pairs of coordinates or grid references are obtained using random number tables, and marked on a map of the study area
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These are joined to form lines to be sampled
C. Random area sampling
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Random number tables generate coordinates or grid references which are used to mark the bottom left (south west) corner of quadrats or grid squares to be sampled
Advantages and disadvantages of random sampling
Advantages:
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Can be used with large sample populations
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Avoids bias
Disadvantages:
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Can lead to poor representation of the overall parent population or area if large areas are not hit by the random numbers generated. This is made worse if the study area is very large
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There may be practical constraints in terms of time available and access to certain parts of the study area
Systematic sampling
Samples are chosen in a systematic, or regular way.
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They are evenly/regularly distributed in a spatial context, for example every two metres along a transect line
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They can be at equal/regular intervals in a temporal context, for example every half hour or at set times of the day
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They can be regularly numbered, for example every 10th house or person
Methodology
A. Systematic point sampling
A grid can be used and the points can be at the intersections of the grid lines, or in the middle of each grid square. Sampling is done at the nearest feasible place. Along a transect line, sampling points for vegetation/pebble data collection could be identified systematically, for example every two metres or every 10th pebble
B. Systematic line sampling
The eastings or northings of the grid on a map can be used to identify transect lines. Alternatively, along a beach it could be decided that a transect up the beach will be conducted every 20 metres along the length of the beach
C. Systematic area sampling
A ‘pattern' of grid squares to be sampled can be identified using a map of the study area, for example every second/third grid square down or across the area - the south west corner will then mark the corner of a quadrat. Patterns can be any shape or direction as long as they are regular.
Advantages and disadvantages of systematic sampling
Advantages:
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It is more straight-forward than random sampling
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A grid doesn't necessarily have to be used, sampling just has to be at uniform intervals
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A good coverage of the study area can be more easily achieved than using random sampling
Disadvantages:
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It is more biased, as not all members or points have an equal chance of being selected
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It may therefore lead to over or under representation of a particular pattern
Stratified sampling
This method is used when the parent population or sampling frame is made up of sub-sets of known size. These sub-sets make up different proportions of the total, and therefore sampling should be stratified to ensure that results are proportional and representative of the whole.
A. Stratified systematic sampling
The population can be divided into known groups, and each group sampled using a systematic approach. The number sampled in each group should be in proportion to its known size in the parent population.
For example: the make-up of different social groups in the population of a town can be obtained, and then the number of questionnaires carried out in different parts of the town can be stratified in line with this information. A systematic approach can still be used by asking every fifth person.
B. Stratified random sampling
A wide range of data and fieldwork situations can lend themselves to this approach - wherever there are two study areas being compared, for example two woodlands, river catchments, rock types or a population with sub-sets of known size, for example woodland with distinctly different habitats.
Random point, line or area techniques can be used as long as the number of measurements taken is in proportion to the size of the whole.
For example: if an area of woodland was the study site, there would likely be different types of habitat (sub-sets) within it. Random sampling may altogether ‘miss' one or more of these.
Stratified sampling would take into account the proportional area of each habitat type within the woodland and then each could be sampled accordingly; if 20 samples were to be taken in the woodland as a whole, and it was found that a shrubby clearing accounted for 10% of the total area, two samples would need to be taken within the clearing. The sample points could still be identified randomly or systematically within each separate area of woodland.
Advantages and disadvantages of stratified sampling
Advantages:
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It can be used with random or systematic sampling, and with point, line or area techniques
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If the proportions of the sub-sets are known, it can generate results which are more representative of the whole population
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It is very flexible and applicable to many geographical enquiries
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Correlations and comparisons can be made between sub-sets
Disadvantages:
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The proportions of the sub-sets must be known and accurate if it is to work properly
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It can be hard to stratify questionnaire data collection, accurate up to date population data may not be available and it may be hard to identify people's age or social background effectively
Further details about sampling can be found within our A Level Independent Investigation Guide.