Cluster Sampling: Definition, Method and Examples

What is cluster sampling?

Cluster sampling is a probability sampling technique where researchers divide the population into multiple groups (clusters) for research. Researchers then select random groups with a simple random or systematic random sampling technique for data collection and data analysis.

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Example: A researcher wants to conduct a study to judge the performance of sophomore’s in business education across the U.S. It is impossible to conduct a research study that involves a student in every university. Instead, by using cluster sampling, the researcher can club the universities from each city into one cluster. These clusters then define all the sophomore student population in the U.S. Next, either using simple random sampling or systematic random sampling and randomly pick clusters for the research study. Subsequently, by using simple or systematic sampling, the sophomore’s from each of these selected clusters can be chosen on whom to conduct the research study.

In this sampling technique, researchers analyze a sample that consists of multiple sample parameters such as demographics, habits, background – or any other population attribute, which may be the focus of conducted research. This method is usually conducted when groups that are similar yet internally diverse form a statistical population. Instead of selecting the entire population, cluster sampling allows the researchers to collect data by bifurcating the data into small, more productive groups.

Cluster sampling definition

Cluster sampling is defined as a sampling method where the researcher creates multiple clusters of people from a population where they are indicative of homogeneous characteristics and have an equal chance of being a part of the sample.

Example: Consider a scenario where an organization is looking to survey the performance of smartphones across Germany. They can divide the entire country’s population into cities (clusters) and select further towns with the highest population and also filter those using mobile devices.

Types of cluster sampling

There are two ways to classify this sampling technique. The first way is based on the number of stages followed to obtain the cluster sample, and the second way is the representation of the groups in the entire cluster. In most cases, sampling by clusters happens over multiple stages. A stage is considered to be the step taken to get to the desired sample. We can divide this technique into single-stage, two-stage, and multiple stages.

Single-stage cluster sampling: 

As the name suggests, sampling is done just once. An example of single-stage cluster sampling – An NGO wants to create a sample of girls across five neighboring towns to provide education. Using single-stage sampling, the NGO randomly selects towns (clusters) to form a sample and extend help to the girls deprived of education in those towns.

Two-stage cluster sampling: 

Here, instead of selecting all the elements of a cluster, only a handful of members are chosen from each group by implementing systematic or simple random sampling. An example of two-stage cluster sampling – A business owner wants to explore the performance of his/her plants that are spread across various parts of the U.S. The owner creates clusters of the plants. He/she then selects random samples from these clusters to conduct research.

Multiple stage cluster sampling: 

Multiple-stage cluster sampling takes a step or a few steps further than two-stage sampling.

For conducting effective research across multiple geographies, one needs to form complicated clusters that can be achieved only using the multiple-stage sampling technique. An example of Multiple stage sampling by clusters – An organization intends to survey to analyze the performance of smartphones across Germany. They can divide the entire country’s population into cities (clusters) and select cities with the highest population and also filter those using mobile devices.

Steps to conduct cluster sampling

Here are the steps to perform cluster sampling:

1. Sample: Decide the target audience and also the sample size.
2. Create and evaluate sampling frames: Create a sampling frame by using either an existing framework or creating a new one for the target audience. Evaluate frameworks based on coverage and clustering and make adjustments accordingly. These groups will be varied, considering the population, which can be exclusive and comprehensive. Members of a sample are selected individually.
3. Determine groups: Determine the number of groups by including the same average members in each group. Make sure each of these groups are distinct from one another.
4. Select clusters: Choose clusters by applying a random selection.
5. Create sub-types: It is bifurcated into two-stage and multi-stage subtypes based on the number of steps followed by researchers to form clusters.

Applications of cluster sampling

This sampling technique is used in an area or geographical cluster sampling for market research. A broad geographic area can be expensive to survey in comparison to surveys that are sent to clusters that are divided based on region. The sample numbers have to be increased to achieve accurate results, but the cost savings involved make this process of rising clusters attainable.

Cluster sampling in statistics

The technique is widely used in statistics where the researcher can’t collect data from the entire population as a whole. It is the most economical and practical solution for statisticians doing research. Take the example of a researcher who is looking to understand the smartphone usage in Germany. In this case, the cities of Germany will form clusters. This sampling method is also used in situations like wars and natural calamities to draw inferences of a population, where collecting data from every individual residing in the population is impossible.

Cluster sampling advantages

There are multiple advantages to using cluster sampling. Here they are:

• Consumes less time and cost: Sampling of geographically divided groups requires less work, time, and cost. It’s a highly economical method to observe clusters instead of randomly doing it throughout a particular region by allocating a limited number of resources to those selected clusters.
• Convenient access: Researchers can choose large samples with this sampling technique, and that’ll increase accessibility to various clusters.
• Data accuracy: Since there can be large samples in each cluster, loss of accuracy in information per individual can be compensated.
• Ease of implementation: Cluster sampling facilitates information from various areas and groups. Researchers can quickly implement it in practical situations compared to other probability sampling methods.

In comparison to simple random sampling, tis technique can be useful in deciding the characteristics of a group such as population, and researchers can implement it without having a sampling frame for all the elements for the entire population.

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Cluster sampling vs stratified sampling

Since cluster sampling and stratified sampling are pretty similar, there could be issues with understanding their finer nuances. Hence, the major differences between cluster sampling and stratified sampling, are: