Census and Sample Surveys

There are various means of collecting data to perform statistical calculations and interpretation. The most basic methods of collecting data are the Sampling Method and Census. Both these methods are important and have their advantages and limitations. 

Census

In the census data method, we consider the entire population of a country, region, school, or class. Therefore, the number of members considered for the survey is maximum in this method. It does not matter how many members a country or class has because the survey is conducted on the entire population.

For example, the Indian government conducts a Census every ten years to determine the total population. Other demographic details like family income, names of the earning members, age of members, number of children in the family, etc., are also revealed with the help of this Census survey.

Sampling Method

Census does not seem to be practical in all scenarios as it requires much more effort and time. The method in which we determine specific characteristics or attributes of the population by studying or surveying only a part of it is called the Sampling Method. The number of members included in this survey should represent the entire population. These members are known as samples. Therefore, choosing the sample is not an easy job by any means.

For example, while understanding the characteristics of obese people in a city, residents belonging to every age group, income group, and background should be considered. If we fail to choose the right sample for the Sampling method, the gathered data may not apply to the entire population.

How should we select a sample?

The following things must be determined while choosing a sample:

• The size of the sample must be small enough to save your time, resources, and effort.

• The sample must provide adequate information about the entire population.

• The Sampling Method should involve fewer expenses as conducting a cost-effective survey is one of the primary motives of this method.

• The members selected for the survey must be carefully chosen. Their opinions should be honest, straightforward, and without any bias.

What is the purpose of the Census and Sample Survey Method? Which approach is better?

The main motive behind conducting a Census survey and the Sampling Method is to arrive at a conclusion that might not be fully accurate but approximately closer to the accurate value. Census data may include the entire population, but it might still not be fully accurate as it depends on the honesty, availability, and intelligence of the people who are answering the questions. Similarly, the sample survey method might also not be suitable for the intended purpose of use due to reasons like choosing the wrong sample, failing to ask the right questions, etc.

For instance, the government plans to determine the average income of every Indian household but has limited resources and time in hand. They can use the sample survey method to reach near-accurate answers. For that, they should choose at least 50 to 100 households from every state. Choosing only 50 families from the state that has lakhs of families is a highly difficult task.

The families belonging to every section of the society, every religion, and every important district and city must be included in the sample. Also, the members included in the survey should be encouraged to give honest opinions without any pressure. Considering different situations and the issues in determining the right sample size, the results of the Sampling Method are always less reliable than that of a Census. However, a smart choice of the sample size and its members might provide satisfactory results to the surveying department.

Define Sample Size

The number of members who are selected for a sampling method is called a sample size. The sample size cannot be too big or too small. If the sample size is too big, the purpose behind the sample survey method, i.e., saving cost, time, and effort, would be lost. However, if the sample size is too small, it might not represent the population completely.

Advantages of using Census Method

The advantages of using the Census Method include:

In-depth study

The Census method provides a great opportunity to conduct an in-depth study of the population.

Accuracy

The results obtained from the Census method are highly accurate and reliable on most occasions.

Limitations of using Census method

The limitations of using the Census Method include:

Costly

Surveying via the Census method can be too expensive if the size of the population is too large.

Resources

The process of collecting, storing, and interpreting the huge Census data may require huge manpower and other resources.

Benefits of using the Sampling Method

The benefits of using the Sampling Method include:

Quick results

As the sample size is much lesser, less time is required to complete the Sampling Method survey.

Economical

As fewer people are to be surveyed, the Sampling Method proves to be a lot more economical as compared to the Census Survey.

A better alternative for business

As businesses cannot survey the entire population, the Sampling Method survey proves to be a better and more feasible alternative for them.

Limitations of the Sampling Method

The Sampling Method can suffer these limitations:

Varied results

If the population is too large, choosing the sample could be highly challenging and may make the survey inefficient.

Representation

The sample might not represent all the characteristics of the population due to its lesser sample size.

Expert handling

Only experts and trained surveyors can handle the Sampling Method perfectly. On the contrary, surveying the population is possible with people who have little knowledge of statistical tools and methods.