In SSC CGL Tier 2, SSC JSO, Sampling Theory is an important part of Statistics. Understanding sampling helps in making inferences about a population using a sample. This blog covers population, sample, sampling techniques, errors, and sampling distributions with easy explanations.
1. Population and Sample
In statistics, understanding the difference between a population and a sample is fundamental, as it forms the basis for collecting data and making inferences about a larger group.
Term | Definition | Example |
Population | Complete set of items or individuals under study | All employees of a company |
Sample | Subset of population selected for analysis | 100 employees selected randomly |
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2. Sampling Techniques
Sampling techniques are divided into probability and non-probability methods.
Type | Technique | Description | Use / Example |
Probability | Simple Random Sampling | Every item has an equal chance | Drawing 50 names randomly |
Probability | Systematic Sampling | Every kth item is selected | Every 10th student in a list |
Probability | Stratified Sampling | Population divided into strata, samples from each | Sample of students by grade |
Probability | Cluster Sampling | Population divided into clusters, select entire clusters | Randomly select 3 schools |
Non-Probability | Convenience Sampling | Select easily available items | Survey friends in a class |
Non-Probability | Judgmental / Purposive | Select based on researcher’s judgment | Expert opinion survey |
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3. Sampling Errors
Sampling errors occur when a sample does not perfectly represent the population.
Error Type | Description | Example |
Random Error | Due to chance variation in sample | Selecting 100 students randomly may slightly differ from population mean |
Systematic Error / Bias | Consistent error in one direction | Survey conducted only in morning → misses absent students |
Non-Sampling Error | Errors not related to sampling | Data entry mistakes, misreporting |
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4. Sampling Distribution
Definition: Probability distribution of a statistic (like mean, proportion) calculated from a sample.
- Central Limit Theorem (CLT):
If sample size nnn is large, the sampling distribution of the sample mean is approximately normal regardless of population distribution.
Xˉ∼N(μ,σ2n)\bar{X} \sim N\left(\mu, \frac{\sigma^2}{n}\right)Xˉ∼N(μ,nσ2)
- Standard Error (SE): Standard deviation of sampling distribution
SE=σnSE = \frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}SE=nσ
Example:
Population mean μ=50\mu = 50μ=50, population SD σ=10\sigma = 10σ=10, sample size n=25n = 25n=25 SE=10/25=2SE = 10 / \sqrt{25} = 2SE=10/25=2
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5. Key Formulas for SSC CGL
In SSC CGL Tier 2, memorizing key formulas for sampling theory helps quickly calculate sample statistics, standard errors, and make accurate inferences about the population.
Concept | Formula | Use |
Sample Mean | Xˉ=∑X/n\bar{X} = \sum X / nXˉ=∑X/n | Estimate population mean |
Sample Variance | S2=∑(X−Xˉ)2/(n−1)S^2 = \sum (X – \bar{X})^2 / (n-1)S2=∑(X−Xˉ)2/(n−1) | Estimate population variance |
Standard Error | SE=σ/nSE = \sigma / \sqrt{n}SE=σ/n | Measure of sampling variability |
Proportion SE | SEp=p(1−p)/nSE_p = \sqrt{p(1-p)/n}SEp=p(1−p)/n | Estimate proportion from sample |
Key Takeaways
- Population is the whole group, sample is a subset.
- Probability sampling → each element has known chance; Non-probability → chance unknown.
- Sampling errors can be random or systematic.
- Sampling distribution → distribution of sample statistics; CLT allows normal approximation for large samples.
- Standard error quantifies sample variability.
FAQs on Sampling Theory
Population is the whole group; sample is a subset used for analysis.
Divide population into strata and select samples from each stratum.
Error due to difference between sample statistics and population parameters.
Standard deviation of a sampling distribution: SE=σ/nSE = \sigma / \sqrt{n}SE=σ/n
For large sample size, the distribution of sample mean is approximately normal regardless of population shape.
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