Comparing Random with Non-Random Sampling Methods

Anders Sweetland

ResearchPublished 1972

Although random sampling is generally the preferred survey method, few people doing surveys use it because of prohibitive costs; i.e., the method requires numbering each member of the survey population, whereas nonrandom sampling involves taking every nth member. Findings indicate that as long as the attribute being sampled is randomly distributed among the population, the two methods give essentially the same results. If the attribute is not randomly distributed, the two methods give radically different results. In some instances the nonrandom methods yield much better inferences about the population; in other instances, its inferences are much worse. The reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.

Order a Print Copy

Format
Paperback
Page count
29 pages
List Price
$20.00
Buy link
Add to Cart

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 1972
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 29
  • Paperback Price: $20.00
  • Document Number: P-4826

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Sweetland, Anders, Comparing Random with Non-Random Sampling Methods, RAND Corporation, P-4826, 1972. As of September 5, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P4826.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Sweetland, Anders, Comparing Random with Non-Random Sampling Methods. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1972. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P4826.html. Also available in print form.
BibTeX RIS

This publication is part of the RAND paper series. The paper series was a product of RAND from 1948 to 2003 that captured speeches, memorials, and derivative research, usually prepared on authors' own time and meant to be the scholarly or scientific contribution of individual authors to their professional fields. Papers were less formal than reports and did not require rigorous peer review.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.