Definition:Area Sampling

Definition

Area sampling is a method of sampling where a geographical region is divided into smaller sub-regions by a grid, usually of squares or rectangles.

Such sub-regions are chosen at random, and all units within those sub-regions are included in the sample.

Examples

Arbitrary Example 1

In a study of farming, it may be appropriate to use a grid of squares $5 \, \mathrm {km} \times 5 \, \mathrm {km}$ in area.

Hence one would include in the sample each of the farms lying inside each of the selected squares.

Also see

• Results about area sampling can be found here.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): area sampling
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): area sampling