Table 1

Summary of sampling methods used, outline of sampling technique and example of how the sampling technique relates to real field survey and DSS designs.

Sampling Method
Technique
Example situation in field surveys

Simple Random
Step 1: Assign a random number to each sampling unit
Cross-sectional surveys within DSS settings

Step 2: Sort sampling units by their random number


Step 3: Select sampling units in ascending order of random numbers until desired sample size is reached

Probability Proportional to Size
Step 1: Assign a random number to each sampling unit


Step 2: Multiply the population of each sampling unit by the random number


Step 3: Sort sampling units on the number generated in Step 2


Step 4: Select sampling units in descending order of number generated in Step 2 until desired sample size is reached

Proportional Stratified Sampling
Step 1: Determine the proportion of sampling units needed in each strata
Cross-sectional surveys within DSS settings or establishing a DSS

Step 2: Assign a random number to each sampling unit


Step 3: Select sampling units from each strata using simple random methods until the desired sample size and ratio between strata is obtained

Multi-stage Sampling (Stage 1 random; Stage 2 random)
Step 1: Randomly select geographical area for sampling
Establishing a DSS

Step 2: Assign a random number to each sampling unit in the selected area


Step 3: Sort sampling units by their random number


Step 4: Select sampling units in ascending order of random number until desired sample size is reached

Multi-stage Sampling (Stage 1 random; Stage 2 PPS)
Step 1: Randomly select geographical area


Step 2: Assign a random number to each sampling unit in the selected area


Step 3: Multiply the population of each sampling unit by the random number


Step 4: Sort sampling units on the number generated in Step 3


Step 5: Select sampling units in descending order of number generated in Step 3 until desired sample size is reached

Geographically Dispersed (Stage 1 random; Stage 2 random; Stage 3 random)
Step 1: Randomly select two geographical areas
Multi-centre study

Step 2: Assign a random number to each sampling unit in each of the selected areas


Step 3: Sort sampling units by their random number


Step 4: Select sampling units in ascending order of random number until 50% of the desired sample is selected from each geographical area

Geographically Dispersed (Stage 1 random; Stage 2 random; Stage 3 PPS)
Step 1: Randomly select two geographical areas


Step 2: Assign a random number to each sampling unit in each of the selected areas


Step 3: Multiply the population of each sampling unit by the random number


Step 4: Sort sampling units on the number generated in Step 3


Step 5: Select sampling units in descending order of number generated in Step 3 until 50% of the sample is selected from each geographical area


Fottrell and Byass Population Health Metrics 2008 6:2   doi:10.1186/1478-7954-6-2