Discuss Sample versus Census. Describe the differences between a probability sampling and a non-probability sampling.

        Sample and Census both are the different ways of collecting data for research purposes. The difference is that in the case of a sample only a portion of the population is used for study purposes whereas in the case of census everyone is studied. Census means getting information and then recording the information of each and every member of the selected population. Sampling means that you only take into account a sample out of the whole population and then study it only.

        A conclusion in this case is then made based on the results that were seen from studying a sample only. Census due to its nature requires a larger amount of funds and time. In the case of sample less funds and time is needed. The results that are obtained from census are often more reliable than the results that are obtained from sampling because a larger number of population is studied under the census method.

        Two methods of researching are probability and non probability sampling. Probability sampling is when you have a list of all the population and then you randomly select a sample form the population that you have selected. The advantage is that everyone in the population has equal chance of being selected. Then from the results that you derived you can generalize it for the entire population. This method is easy to understand however, it is time consuming and expensive. (Washington.edu 2018)

        Non probability sampling is when you select people not randomly so this means that there are greater chances of sampling error. No one has basically an idea that which individual will be selected as a part of sample. The result that is generated from this type of method cannot be generalized to the entire population but it is less expensive and takes less time.Some examples of probability sampling are systematic, cluster and stratified sampling. Some examples of non probability sampling are quota, convenience and snowball sampling.

References of probability sampling and a non-probability sampling.

Washington.edu. 2018. Observational Field Research. http://faculty.washington.edu/wpratt/MEBI598/Methods/Collecting%20Data%20Through%20Observation.htm.