Page 59 - SREENARAYANAGURU OPEN UNIVERSITY

in the given examples, the total amount of rice in a pot and the
overall volume of blood in a person’s body would be considered
the population.
To study the population effectively, researchers can choose
from two methods, depending on their feasibility. One approach
involves taking a representative sample from the population for the
study instead of examining every single unit. For instance, when ◆ Universe of study
testing blood sugar levels in a glucometer for diabetics, only a few
drops of blood are used instead of draining the entire blood from
the body. On the other hand, when determining the average height
of students in a class of 100 students, all 100 students’ heights
are considered for the study. In this case, the entire population is
examined rather than using a representative sample.

2.1.2 Census and Sampling

Census and Sampling are the two main techniques to identify
respondents.
2.1.2.1 Census
A census is when we count and collect data from every single
person or thing in a population. However, doing a census for a
large population can be difficult because it takes a lot of time and
money. That’s why we usually only do a census once every ten
years.
Even though a census seems like it would give us the most
accurate information since we’re counting everything, it’s not
always practical. Sometimes, small errors or biases in the data
can become magnified when we have a lot of observations. And
there’s no easy way to check for these errors or biases without ◆ Complete
redoing the entire census or doing sample checks. Because of enumeration
these challenges, researchers often use a different method called
sampling. Instead of counting everyone, they take a smaller group,
called a sample, and study them. By studying this smaller group,
they can make predictions and understand the larger population
without the huge time and resource investment of a census.
2.1.2.2 Sampling

In order to reach the conclusion about a phenomenon, we need
to analyse bit by bit and then render a statement. When it comes to
a simple household decision like checking if rice has been cooked
properly, it is common practice to take a small sample of two or ◆ Drawing
three grains of rice to test instead of examining every single grain conclusions
in the pot. It is not always necessary to check each and every item
as a whole (which is popularly known as population) to understand
its characteristics or reach a conclusion or opinion about the same,
rather a representative part (known as sample) can be effectively

SGOU - SLM - MCom Research Methodology 53