Final answer:
Selecting a stratified random sample includes dividing the population into strata, measuring the size of each stratum, determining the sample portion from each stratum, and taking random samples from each stratum to ensure proportional representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steps Involved in Selecting a Stratified Random Sample
The process of selecting a stratified random sample involves several crucial steps to ensure that each subgroup of the population is adequately represented. The key steps are:
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- Divide the population into strata: The population is segmented into different groups, known as strata, based on shared characteristics.
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- Measure the size of the strata: Determine the proportion of each stratum in the overall population.
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- Determine the portion of the sample from each stratum: Based on the proportions measured, decide what fraction of the total sample size will come from each stratum.
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- Take random samples from each stratum: Apply simple random sampling within each stratum to select a proportionate number of individuals.
While one might consider taking a systematic sample from the entire population or choosing a sample of size n/k from each stratum where n is the sample size and k is the number of strata, these methods align more with systematic sampling than stratified sampling. In stratified sampling, the focus is on ensuring that the sample includes representatives from each subgroup in proportions that reflect their presence in the total population, which might not be equally sized subgroups.
Validity of the study is increased when each subgroup within the population is proportionally represented, reflecting a true mix of the entire population.