Application of Consecutive Sampling Technique in a Clinical Survey for an Ordered Population: Does it Generate Accurate Statistics?

Year: 2022       Vol.: 71       No.: 1      

Authors: Mohamad Adam Bujang, Tg Mohd Ikhwan Tg Abu Bakar Sidik, and Nadiah Sa'at

Abstract:

This study aims to compare the statistical generalizations which are inferred from samples obtained by both systematic sampling and consecutive sampling and then compare both their results with the true population parameters of the target population. This study was conducted using two approaches. The first approach was a comparison between sample statistics and population parameters based on a simulation analysis to estimate the population parameters from three types of statistical distributions (i.e. Normal, Exponential, and Poisson) by using seven sub-samples and 1000 iterations. The second approach was a comparison between sample statistics and population parameters based on real-life data sets which comprise six sub-samples and four parameters. Based on results from the simulation analysis, systematic sampling offers a greater advantage by having a smaller value of mean square error (MSE) in 40 out of 70 comparisons (57.1%) while consecutive sampling has a smaller value of MSE in 29 out of 70 comparisons (41.4%). There is only one MSE comparison that was identical between systematic sampling and consecutive sampling. Based on a validation approach, systematic sampling produced more accurate statistics than consecutive sampling with six out of eight comparisons. In summary, systematic sampling offers a better advantage in terms of accuracy. However, consecutive sampling is still able to generate valid and accurate statistics despite the fact that it is a type of non-probability sampling, especially if a sufficiently large sample size has been obtained for statistical analysis. Therefore, it is recommended that in any situation when it can be difficult to apply a systematic sampling technique for a particular clinical setting, researchers may opt to apply the consecutive technique in the recruitment process as an alternative, with a limitation on making generalizations about the target population.

Keywords: population parameters; sample statistics; systematic sampling.

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