Programme: Master of Library & Information Science
Course: MLIS-09: Research Methodology
Target group: Master's students & Research Scholars
Target group: Master's students & Research Scholars
In this method, the sample is selected from a list prepared in a systematic arrangement either on the basis of alphabetic order or on house number or any other method. In this method, first the entire population is arranged in serial numbers 1 to N. Then the size of the sample should be decided. By dividing the population by the size of the sample, the first sample unit is obtained. Using the same interval, any number of sampling items can be selected. For example, if the population is 1000 and the sample size is 250 then the first sample unit is obtained by dividing 1000/250=4. Then starting from 4 and leaving the same interval, items numbered 4-8-12-16-20-24…. are selected in the sample.
Merits and Demerits of Systematic Sampling:
Merits
· Easy to follow and checking can be done quickly.
· Sample will be representative due to randomness in selection.
Demerits
Demerits
· This method can be used only when complete and uptodate sample frame is available and if the units are randomly arranged.
· If the lists are faulty then it will affect the sample.
Activity
1. The total size of the
population is 1000 users of a library. Researcher has decided include 200 users
in his sample.
(i)Prepare a sample frame
using serial number.