Stratified sampling

Pronunciation
/STRAT-if-fied SAM-pling/
Category
Sampling Techniques
Plural
Stratified samplings

Definition

A method of allocating sampling units in which the sample universe is subdivided into two or more sections and sample units are randomly collected from each subdivision in proportion to their size or relative variability.

Etymology

From Latin 'strata', meaning 'layer' or 'level'.

Example

Stratified sampling is used to ensure that all segments of a population are represented in the sample.

Related Terms

  • Subpopulation
  • Homogeneous sampling