A selective population is ... Indicators of a sample population. The sample in the sociological survey

считаются одним из основных средств изучения общественных отношений и процессов. Empirical sociological methods are considered one of the main means of studying social relations and processes. They provide reliable, complete and representative information.

Specificity of receptions

обеспечивают получение фактофиксирующего знания. Empirical sociological methods provide for obtaining factual knowledge. They contribute to the establishment and generalization of circumstances through the indirect or direct recording of events inherent in the relations, objects, and phenomena studied. Empirical methods differ from theoretical ones in that the subject of analysis is:

1. Behavior of individuals and their groups.
2. Products of human activities.
3. Verbal actions of individuals, their judgments, views, opinions.

Sample research

Empirical study is always focused on obtaining objective and accurate information, quantitative data. In this regard, when performing it, it is necessary to ensure the representativeness of the information. Accordingly, the correct sampling set is of particular importance . значит, что отбор необходимо осуществлять так, чтобы полученные данные узкой группы отражали тенденции, имеющие место в общей массе респондентов. This means that selection should be done so that the data of a narrow group reflect the trends that occur in the total mass of respondents. For example, when polling 200-300 people, the obtained data can be extrapolated to the entire urban population. Indicators of the sample allow to approach the study of socio-economic processes in the region, in the country as a whole.

Terminology

For a better understanding of the issues related to sample studies, some definitions need to be clarified. The unit of observation is called the direct source of information. They can be a separate individual, a group, a document, an organization, and so on. комплекс единиц наблюдения. The aggregate is a complex of units of observation. They all need to be relevant to the problem that is being studied. . A part of the general population is subject to direct analysis. The study is carried out in accordance with the developed methods of collecting information. The definition of this fraction of the entire array of respondents uses the notion of "selective population". Its property to reflect key parameters of the general mass of people is called representativeness. In a number of cases, there are no coincidences. Then they say about the error of representativeness.

Ensuring representativeness

Details related to it are considered in the framework of statistics. The problems are complicated, because, on the one hand, it is about ensuring the quantitative representation that the general population gives . означает, в частности, что группы опрошенных должны быть представлены в оптимальном числе. This means, in particular, that the groups of respondents should be represented in the optimal number. The number should be sufficient for normal representation. On the other hand, we mean a qualitative representation. It assumes a certain subject composition, which forms a selective set. значит, что, например, о репрезентативности не может идти речь, если опрашиваются исключительно мужчины либо только женщины, люди пожилого возраста либо молодежь. This means that, for example, there can not be any representativeness if only men are interviewed, or only women, elderly people or young people. The study should be carried out within all groups represented.

Characteristics of the sample

This term is considered in two aspects. First of all, it is defined as a complex of elements from the general array of people whose opinion is being studied, is a selective aggregate. также процесс создания определенной категории респондентов при требуемом обеспечении репрезентативности. It is also the process of creating a certain category of respondents with the required provision of representativeness. In practice, there are several types and types of selection. Consider them.

Types

There are three of them:

1. Spontaneous selective aggregate. набор респондентов, отобранных по принципу добровольности. This is a set of respondents selected on the principle of voluntariness. Together with this, accessibility of units from the total mass of people to a particular study group is ensured. Spontaneous selection is used in practice quite often. For example, when polling in the press, at the post office. However, this method has a significant drawback. It is impossible to represent the entire volume of the general sample qualitatively. This technique is applied taking into account the economy. In some surveys, this option is the only possible one.
2. Spontaneous selective aggregate. один из основных приемов, применяемых при изучении. This is one of the basic techniques used in the study. The key principle of such selection is the provision of the possibility for each unit of observation to get out of the general mass of individuals into a narrow group. For this, different techniques are used. For example, it can be a lottery, mechanical selection, a table of random numbers.
3. Stratified (quota) sampling. It is based on the formation of a qualitative model of the total mass of respondents. After that, selection of units into a sample set is carried out. For example, it is performed by age or gender, by population and so on.

Kinds

There are the following samples:

1. Single stage. It is a simple selection. At the same time, the appropriate principle of transition from the general population to the selective one is used.
2. Serial. In this case, the units of selection are families, brigades, classes, etc.
3. Multistage. In this case, the selection is performed in several stages. For example, at the first stage a sample of enterprises in the city is formed, then - shops, then - directly respondents among employees.

Additionally

Samples can also be dependent and independent. In the first case, the procedure of the experiment and the results that will be obtained in the course of it for one group of respondents have a certain effect on the other. Accordingly, independent samples do not imply the existence of such an impact. Here, however, we should pay attention to one important point. One group of subjects, in relation to whom the psychological examination was conducted twice (even if it was aimed at studying various qualities, features, signs), will by default be considered dependent.

Probabilistic selections

Let's consider some types of samples:

1. Random. It assumes homogeneity of the total population, one probability of availability of all components, and a complete list of elements. As a rule, in the selection process a table with random numbers is used.
2. Mechanical. This type of random sample assumes ordering by a certain feature. For example, by phone number, in alphabetical order, by date of birth and so on. The first component is selected in random order. Next, each element is selected in step n. The value of the total population will be N = k * n.
3. Stratified. This sample is used when the population is heterogeneous. The latter is divided into strata (groups). In each of them, the selection is carried out mechanically or randomly.
4. Serial. Groups are selected randomly. Inside of them objects are studied in continuous form.

Incredible selections

They presuppose sampling not according to the principle of chance, but on subjective grounds: typicality, accessibility, equal representation, and so on. This category includes selections:

1. The quota. It assumes the initial selection of several groups. For example, it can be men of 20-30 and 31-45 liters, citizens whose income from 30 thousand, 30-60 thousand, more than 60 thousand rubles. For each group, specify the number of objects to be inspected. The number is determined, as a rule, in proportion to the pre-determined share of the sample in the total mass of people, or the same for all. Within the groups, objects are selected arbitrarily.
2. By the principle of "snowball". In this case, each respondent is asked to contact colleagues, friends, acquaintances who could participate in the survey. Thus, the sample is carried out by the subjects themselves. This method is often used in cases where it is necessary to find and interview respondents in groups that are difficult to access. It can be people with high income, belonging to a certain professional environment, having similar passions and so on.
3. Spontaneous. In this case, the survey is conducted with the most accessible respondents. As typical examples, you can conduct research in the press, the transfer of questionnaires to people for self-filling, online surveys. The size and composition of the samples is not known in advance. It is determined only by the activity of the respondents.
4. According to the principle of typical cases. In this case, the units selected from the general population are endowed with an average feature. This raises the problem of determining the criterion and its typical parameter.

Nuance

To ensure representativeness, an accurate and complete list of aggregate units is needed. As a rule, one person is the object of observation. It is better to select the list from the list by numbering the units and applying a table with random numbers. But a quasi-random method is often used. It involves selecting from the list of each n element.

Influencing factors

The volume of an aggregate is the number of its units. According to experts, it does not have to be big. Undoubtedly, the more the number of respondents, the more accurate the result. However, along with this large volume does not always guarantee success. For example, this happens when the general array of respondents is heterogeneous. Homogeneous will be considered such a set, where the controlled parameter, for example, the level of literacy, is distributed evenly, that is, there is no emptiness or condensation. In this case, it will be enough to interview a few people. Based on the results of the survey, it can be concluded that most people have a normal literacy rate. From this it follows that the representativeness of information is influenced not by quantitative characteristics, but by the qualitative characteristics of the aggregate - the level of its homogeneity, in particular.

Errors

They represent a deviation of the average parameters of a sample population from the values of the total mass of respondents. In practice, errors are determined by comparison. When examining adults, census data, statistical records, and past surveys are usually used. Control parameters are usually socio-demographic characteristics. Comparison of the average values of the aggregates (general and selective), the determination of the error in accordance with this and the reduction of this deviation is called the control of representativeness.

conclusions

Selective research is a way of collecting data on people's attitudes and behavior through interviewing specially selected groups of respondents. This technique is considered reliable and economical, although it requires a certain technique. The sampling frame serves as the basis. It acts as a certain proportion of the total mass of people. The selection is made using special techniques and is aimed at obtaining information about the whole population. The latter, in turn, is represented by all possible public objects or by their group that will be studied. Often, the general population is so large that conducting a survey of each of its representatives will be quite expensive and burdensome process. Therefore, its reduced model is used. The sample includes all those who receive questionnaires, who are called respondents, who actually acts as the object of study. Simply put, it is made up of a lot of people who are interrogated.

Conclusion

The objectives of the survey are determined by the specific categories that make up the general population. With regard to a specific proportion of the total mass of people, it is composed of subjects included in the groups through mathematical calculations. For the selection of units, a description of the object of the original population is necessary. After determining the number of subjects, the method or method for forming groups is determined. The results of the survey will allow describing the trait under study with respect to all representatives of the general mass of people. As practice shows, mainly selective, rather than continuous, studies are conducted.