Question

What's probability sampling? What's the purpose of probability sampling?

Answer 1

(i)

Probability Sampling is a sampling technique wherein the samples are selected in a process that gives all the individuals in the population equal chances of being selected.The researcher gaurentees that every individual has an equal opportunity for selection. This is achieved by randomization. In order to have a random selection mthod, the researcher must set up some procedure that assures that the different units in the population have equal probabilities of being chosen.

(ii)

The purpose of Probability Sampling is to eliminate both systematic and sampling bias, thus making the sample true representative of the entire population. The advantages of Probability Sampling are: (i) Higher level of reliability of research findings, (ii) Increased accuracy of sampling errorestimation (iii) The possibility to make inferences about the population.