When researching a group of people, it is often impossible to measure every individual data point. However, statistical methods allow for inferences about a population by analyzing the results of a smaller sample extracted from that population.

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Stratified random sampling is one way of doing this. This technique enables researchers to obtain a sample population that best represents the entire population being studied by making sure that eꦅach subgroup of interest is represented. However, it is not without its disadvantages.

Stratified Random Sampling: An Overview

Stratified random sampling involves dividing a population into subpopulations and then applying random sampling methods to each subpopulation to formಞ🦂 a test group.

Stratified random sampling 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:is different f💃rom simple random sampling, which involves the ran🎃dom selection of data from the entire population so that each possible sample is equally likely to occur. In contrast, stratified random sampling divides the population into smaller groups, or strata, based on shared characteristics. A random sample is then taken from each stratum in direct proportion t🐭o the size of the stratum compared to the population.

Stratified Random Sampling Example

Researchers are performing a study designed to evaluate the political leanings of economics students at a major university. The researchers want to ensure the random sample best approximates the student population, including gender, undergraduates, and graduate students. The total population in the study is 1,0⛄00 students and, from there, subgroups are created as shown below.

Total population = 1,000

Researchers would assign every economics student at the university to one of four subpopulations: male undergraduate, female undergraduate, male graduate, and female graduate. Researchers would next count how many students from each subgroup make up the total population of 1,000 students. From there, researchers calculate each subgroup's percentage representation of the total population. 

Subgroups:

• Male undergraduates = 450 students or 45% of the population
• Female undergraduates = 200 students or 20%
• Male graduate students = 200 students or 20%
• Female graduate students = 150 students or 15%

Random sampling of each subpopulation is done based on its 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网ꦯ:representati🐬on within the population as a whole. Since male undergraduates are 45% of the population, 45 maღle undergraduates are randomly chosen out of that subgroup. Moreover, because male graduates make up only 20% of the population, 20 are selecte🎶d for the sample, and so on. 

Advantages of Stratified Random Sampling

Stratified random sampling has advantagꦜes when compar⭕ed to simple random sampling.

It reflects the population being studied because researchers are stratifying the entire population before applying random sampling methods. In short, it ensures each subgrou♑p within the population receives proper representation within the sample. As a result, stratified random samplin🎃g provides better coverage of the population since the researchers have control over the subgroups to ensure all of them are represented in the sampling. 

With simple random sampling, there isn't any guarantee that any particular subgroup 🦩or type of person is chosen.

In our earlier example of the university students, using simple random 🅘sampling to procure a sample of 100 from the population might result in the selection of only 25 male undergraduates or only 25% of the total population. Also, 35 female graduate students might be selected (35% of the population) resulting in under-representation of male undergraduates and over-representation of female graduate students. Any errors in the representation of the population have the potential to diminish the accuracy of the study.

Disadvantages of Stratified Random Sampling

Stratified random sampliﷺng also presents researchers with꧟ a disadvantage.

Unfortunately, this method of research cannot be used in every study. The method's disadvantage is that several conditions must be met for it to be used properly. Researchers must identify every member of a population being studied and classify each of them into one, and only one, subpopulation.

As a result, stratified random sampling is disadvantageous when researchers can't confidently classify every member of the population into a subgroup. Also, finding an exhaustive and definitive list of an entire population can be challenging. 

Overlapping can be an issue if there are subjects that fall into multiple subgroups. When simple random sampling is performed, those who are in multiple subgroups are more likely to be chosen. The resu🥀lt co꧙uld be a misrepresentation or inaccurate reflection of the population. 

In our example, under🐓graduate, graduate, male, and female are clearly defined groups. In other situations, however, it might be far more difficult. Imagine incorporating characteristics such as race, ethnicity, or religion. The sorting process becomes more difficult, rendering stratified random sampling an ineffective and less-than-ideal method.

The Bottom Line

Stratified random sampling, a method of sampling that involves dividing a population into smaller subgroups known as strata, is sometimes preferred over simple random sampling because it ensures each subgroup within the population receives proper representation. However, making this extra effort is not always necessary and guaranteed to make th♛e research more reliable and reflective of the population. Stratified random sampling is not always easy or possible to apply either.