PR1/ Practical Research 1

A. SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING

• SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING

is a method of choosing samples in which all the members of the population are given an equal chance of being selected. It is an unbiased way of selection, as samples are drawn by chance. There are various ways of obtaining samples through simple random sampling (Treece & Treece, 1986). These include the roulette wheel, fishbowl method, and the use of table of random numbers.

Example: Observe the following steps using the fishbowl method:

i. The sampling frame, or a list of all the subjects or elements of the population in question, should be prepared.

ii. All the names of the subjects or elements should be written down on strips of paper (one name per strip of paper).

iii. The strips of paper with the listed names are then placed in a bowl or container.

iv. Samples can be drawn as desired.