1. Simple random sample
This is perhaps an unfortunate term, because it
isn't that simple and it isn't done at random, in the sense
of "haphazardly".
Characteristics:
-
Each person has same chance as any other of being
selected
-
Standard against which other methods are sometimes
evaluated
-
Suitable where population is relatively small and
where sampling frame is complete and up-to-date
Procedure:
-
Obtain a complete sampling frame
-
Give each case a unique number, starting at one
-
Decide on the required sample size
-
Select that many numbers from a table of random numbers
or using computer
Table of random numbers (usually found at back
of statistics textbooks) e.g.
92941 04999 77422 25992 27372
94157 43252 83266 47196 94045
48135 34237 46293 46178 50110
78907 37586 50940 88094 28209
82843 43383 32561 62108 46076
Decide on a pattern of movement through table
and stick to it, e.g. numbers from every second column and every row. If
a number comes up twice or a number is selected which is larger than population
number, discard it.
Activity
This page was created by Kate
Galloway. Last updated 25/8/97
