A sampling plan is a detailed outline or plan that gives a description of the tools and methods used to measure the data collected during the research (Ploeg, 2009). The sampling plan dictates the other outcomes of the research beyond the sampling study.
A well-designed sampling plan that focuses on a good method gives the researcher reliable outcomes or findings. The two broad methods of sampling used in quantitative research are probability sampling and non-probability sampling (Ploeg, 2009). However, the most appropriate and effective method of sampling in quantitative research is probability sampling (Ploeg, 2009). Probability sampling gives every unit in a sampling population an equal chance of being sampled that is greater than zero (Ploeg, 2009)
The probability can be accurately and easily determined. The use of this method helps in the control of biasness and manipulation, as every unit has its weight of being selected in the sample (Ploeg, 2009). The data collected using this method is therefore free from the manipulation of the researchers or participants that make it arrive at the required data. The data gathered usually represented the whole population as the sample selected gave all the units in the population equal chances. This makes the method to have outcomes in the estimation of population totals during the research that make the research effective and reliable (Ploeg, 2009).
The outcomes of the sampling method give almost 100% results of the expected outcomes that make it more reliable. The outcomes of the research being reliable are then generalized to the whole population making the method have greater chances of generalization.
Reference
Ploeg, J. (2009). Identifying the best research design to fit the question part 2: Qualitative designs. Evidence Based Nursing, 2, 36-37.