Key Elements of an Effective Sample Survey
Learn about the features of effective sample surveys, how to design a sample that reflects the population, and various sample methods for different demographics. Understand the importance of size, demographics, and timing in surveying. Examples include cluster, systematic, and stratified sampling.
Key Elements of an Effective Sample Survey
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Sample Surveys What makes an effective sample survey?
Features of an effective Sample Survey • “A good sample is a miniature version of the population – just like it, only smaller.” Fink 1995. • Sampling is necessary when the entire “population” you are interested is too big to survey • “population” could mean Clydebank, Scotland, Ethnic groups, crime victims etc etc • Generalisations are made about the “population” so sample needs to ‘reflect’ that population
Features of an effective Sample Survey • For the general population as a whole, the sample should reflect main characteristics of the census • The sample method may vary depending on your “population” – e.g. prisoners: questionnaire; young people: internet survey etc
When making up sample, need to consider…. • size of sample compared with ‘population • age group • gender • type of housing • occupation • social class • household income • highest educational qualification obtained • time and place that survey is carried out.
Examples • Cluster sampling • Systematic sampling • Stratified sampling
