This article will help you understand how to determine the strata using the stratified random sampling technique and how respondents from each stratum can be obtained in the stratified random sampling technique.

Stratified random sampling is about the division of a study population into subgroups or strata based on certain specific attributes that are relevant to a study. These specified attributes comprise characters such as geographic location of study, age of respondents, gender of respondents, income of the respondents, or any other important information. The following are some of the crucial actions in identifying strata and gathering respondents from each stratum:

Define What a Strata is:

This involves the researcher determining the relevant character, traits or differences that distinguish the various population groupings. It could be determined by any distinct characteristics, features, factors, age bracket, financial capabilities, educational qualification, and location, among others.

Strata Formation:

After the relevant characters of the population have been identified, separate the population into uniform groups or strata according based on the characteristics. All members of the population should only be represented in one stratum.

Establish Sample Size:

This has to do with determining the appropriate sample size for every stratum. Some factors can establish each stratum’s sample size, the likes of stratum variability, it can also be proportionate to the size of the population within the said stratum.

Random Sampling within Strata:

This deals with choosing the respondents randomly from each stratum after the strata have been established and determining the sample sizes for the study. This guarantees that each person in the population within their specific stratum has an equal chance of being selected for the already established sample.

Approach Respondents:

Get in touch with the selected people in each stratum (those picked randomly), they can be approached with copies of a well-organized questionnaire to enable them to provide answers or give their candid opinions on the subject matter being researched. Alternatively, their response could come in various other means such as phone calls, emails, online surveys, Survey Monkey and personal interviews depending on the objectives of the study and the respondents’ preferences.

Collecting Relevant Data:

After engaging the participants or respondents from each stratum, assemble the relevant data needed for the study from the various means they have come, for example, questionnaires, interviews, one-on-one discussions, or any other technique employed for getting the information.

Analyze the Data:

The data collected at this point has to be analyzed with the most suitable statistical technique that fits the objectives of the project topic. For more information on data analysis visit this page.

Stratified Random Sampling Example

A stratified random sampling technique was used to determine the sample population. The reason for using stratified random sampling to determine the sample population is to obtain an accurately estimated population for the study. To achieve this, the population (staff of NCC, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, commercial banks, Remita and customers) were grouped into 5 strata each based on their homogenous characters and relevance to the study. The sample sizes of each stratum were then determined, hence the selection of respondents from each of the 5 stratum for the study, the selected respondents formed the numbers of questionnaires administered to respondents. Furthermore, systematic sampling was used to determine the bank customers. The sample size was determined by adopting the Taro Yamane model.

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