Research Methods

Population & Sampling

The population is the entity that you want to study.  That can be anything including people, animals, plants or objects. A sample is a representative section of the population that you will collect your data from.  You’ll need to think carefully about how to identify your population and select your sample.  For example:

• How will you identify your population?
• Will it be a random, purposeful or a convenience-based sample?
• Will your population be characterised by trait (stratified) to reflect a true sample of the population?

Will you use a random number table to select the sample?

What is the correct sample size? Sample size calculator

If you would like more information on population and sampling read Banerjee & Chaudhury’s article.