1. Sampling techniques & sample size moatazamahmoud@yahoo.com
Dr. Moataza Mahmoud Abdel Wahab
Lecturer of Biostatistics
High Institute of Public Health
University of Alexandria

2. Important statistical terms
Population:
a set which includes all
measurements of interest
to the researcher
(The collection of all responses, measurements, or counts that are of interest)
Sample:
A subset of the population

3. Why sampling? Get information about large populations Less costs
Less field time
More accuracy i.e. Can Do A Better Job of Data Collection
When it’s impossible to study the whole population

4. Target Population:
The population to be studied/ to which the investigator wants to generalize his results
Sampling Unit:
smallest unit from which sample can be selected
Sampling frame
List of all the sampling units from which sample is drawn
Sampling scheme
Method of selecting sampling units from sampling frame

5. Types of sampling
Non-probability samples
Probability samples

6. Non probability samples
Convenience samples (ease of access)
sample is selected from elements of a population that are easily accessible
Snowball sampling (friend of friend….etc.)
Purposive sampling (judgemental)
You chose who you think should be in the study
Quota sample

7. Non probability samples
Probability of being chosen is unknown
Cheaper- but unable to generalise
potential for bias

8. Probability samples Random sampling
Each subject has a known probability of being selected
Allows application of statistical sampling theory to results to:
Generalise
Test hypotheses

9. Conclusions Probability samples are the best Ensure Representativeness
Precision

10. Methods used in probability samples
Simple random sampling
Systematic sampling
Stratified sampling
Multi-stage sampling
Cluster sampling

11. Simple random sampling

12. Table of random numbers

13. Systematic sampling Sampling fraction
Ratio between sample size and population size

14. Systematic sampling

15. Cluster sampling
Cluster: a group of sampling units close to each other i.e. crowding together in the same area or neighborhood

16. Cluster sampling
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 5
Section 4

17. Stratified sampling
Multi-stage sampling

18. Errors in sample
Systematic error (or bias)
Inaccurate response (information bias)
Selection bias
Sampling error (random error)

19. Type 1 error
The probability of finding a difference with our sample compared to population, and there really isn’t one….
Known as the α (or “type 1 error”)
Usually set at 5% (or 0.05)

20. Type 2 error
The probability of not finding a difference that actually exists between our sample compared to the population…
Known as the β (or “type 2 error”)
Power is (1- β) and is usually 80%

21. Sample size
Quantitative
Qualitative

22. Problem 1
A study is to be performed to determine a certain parameter in a community. From a previous study a sd of 46 was obtained.
If a sample error of up to 4 is to be accepted. How many subjects should be included in this study at 99% level of confidence?

23. Answer

24. Problem 2
A study is to be done to determine effect of 2 drugs (A and B) on blood glucose level. From previous studies using those drugs, Sd of BGL of 8 and 12 g/dl were obtained respectively.
A significant level of 95% and a power of 90% is required to detect a mean difference between the two groups of 3 g/dl. How many subjects should be include in each group?

25. Answer

26. Problem 3
It was desired to estimate proportion of anaemic children in a certain preparatory school. In a similar study at another school a proportion of 30 % was detected.
Compute the minimal sample size required at a confidence limit of 95% and accepting a difference of up to 4% of the true population.

27. Answer

28. Problem 4
In previous studies, percentage of hypertensives among Diabetics was 70% and among non diabetics was 40% in a certain community.
A researcher wants to perform a comparative study for hypertension among diabetics and non-diabetics at a confidence limit 95% and power 80%, What is the minimal sample to be taken from each group with 4% accepted difference of true value?

29. Answer

30. Precision
Cost

31. Thank
You