🎯 Why do we prefer Sampling over Complete Enumeration?

🎯Why do we prefer Sampling over Complete Enumeration?

Answer: Sampling is preferred because:

1. Economical: It saves time, money, and manpower.

2. Practical: Sometimes, it’s physically impossible to collect data from every individual (e.g., soil testing, manufacturing quality tests).

3. Speed: Enables quicker decision-making.

4. Accuracy in Practice: With trained investigators and good design, sampling often gives more reliable results than a poorly conducted census.

   
   

Example: In quality control, only a few bulbs are tested from each batch instead of testing all — otherwise, all bulbs would be destroyed.

Follow-up: In what situations is a census better than sampling?

• When population size is small.

• When very high accuracy is required (like national population census).

• When units are heterogeneous and no proper sampling frame exists.