Sampling and Types of Sampling in Sociology: 30 flashcards
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1. What is sampling in sociology?
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The process of selecting a subset (sample) from a larger population to study and draw conclusions about that population.
2. What is a population (universe) in research?
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The entire group of units the researcher wants to draw conclusions about.
3. What is a sampling frame?
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The list or map from which the sample is actually drawn — e.g., a voter roll, school register, or census block list.
4. Why do sociologists use sampling instead of studying the whole population?
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Because studying an entire population is usually too costly, slow, or impossible — sampling keeps research feasible, affordable, and allows generalisation.
5. What is generalisation in sampling?
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Making claims about the whole population from evidence gathered about a part (the sample).
6. What are the two main families of sampling methods?
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Probability sampling and non-probability sampling.
7. What defines probability sampling?
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Every unit in the population has a known, non-zero chance of being selected, and selection is random.
8. What is simple random sampling?
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Every unit has an equal chance of selection, achieved through lottery or random number generation.
9. What is systematic sampling?
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Selecting every $k$-th unit after a random start (e.g., every 10th name on a list).
10. What is stratified sampling?
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Dividing the population into homogeneous strata (by gender, caste, income) and sampling randomly within each stratum.
11. What is cluster sampling?
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Randomly selecting whole clusters (villages, schools) and studying everyone within the chosen clusters.
12. What is multi-stage sampling?
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Combining several probability methods in successive stages — e.g., select districts, then villages, then households.
13. What defines non-probability sampling?
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Not every unit has a known chance of selection; selection relies on the researcher's judgement, convenience, or access.
14. What is convenience sampling?
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Using the most easily available respondents — e.g., students in your own college.
15. What is purposive (judgement) sampling?
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The researcher deliberately selects information-rich cases that suit the study's purpose.
16. What is snowball sampling?
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Existing respondents refer further respondents — ideal for reaching hidden or hard-to-reach populations.
17. What is quota sampling?
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Fixing quotas by category (e.g., 50 men, 50 women) and filling them by convenience.
18. What is voluntary response sampling?
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People self-select into the sample, as in online polls.
19. Key difference between stratified and cluster sampling?
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Stratified takes a few from every group; cluster takes all from a few randomly selected groups.
20. What is representativeness?
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How closely the sample mirrors the population — it matters more than raw sample size.
21. What is sampling error?
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Random variation that arises from studying a sample instead of the whole population.
22. What is non-sampling error?
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Errors such as frame errors, refusals, and measurement mistakes — often a bigger threat than sampling error.
23. Which sampling family supports statistical generalisation?
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Probability sampling — because every unit has a known, non-zero chance of selection.
24. Which sampling family is used for hidden populations?
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Non-probability sampling — especially snowball sampling, since no sampling frame exists.
25. Which sampling methods do large national surveys like NSS and NFHS use?
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Stratified multi-stage probability sampling.
26. Is a bigger sample always better?
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No — representativeness matters more than raw size. A large biased sample is worse than a small well-drawn one.
27. What determines the choice of sampling method?
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The research question and the accessibility of the population.
28. What happens if the sampling frame is incomplete or biased?
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Even a clever sampling technique cannot rescue the study — the frame must be good before picking respondents.
29. Example of multi-stage sampling in practice?
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Select districts, then villages within those districts, then households within those villages.
30. Why is sampling especially important in sociology?
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Sociology studies people who are diverse, mobile, and often unwilling or unable to be studied exhaustively.
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