Sampling design

In the theory of finite population sampling, a sampling design specifies for every possible sample its probability of being drawn.

Mathematically, a sampling design is denoted by the function P(S) which gives the probability of drawing a sample S.

Examples of sampling designs

During Bernoulli sampling, P(S) is given by

$P(S)=q^{N_{sample}}\times (1-q)^{(N_{pop}-N_{sample})}$

where for each element q is the probability of being included in the sample and N_sample is the total number of elements in the sample S and N_pop is the total number of elements in the population (before sampling commenced).

Further reading

• SARNDAL, C.-E., SWENSSON, B., AND WRETMAN, J. 1992. Model Assisted Survey Sampling. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY.