Census Vs Sample Survey

 

CENSUS VS SAMPLE SURVEY

Census

Census method is the method of statistical enumeration where all members of the population are studied. A population refers to the set of all observations under concern. For example, if you want to carry out a survey to find out student’s feedback about the facilities of your school, all the students of your school would form a part of the ‘population’ for your study.

In our country, the Government conducts the Census of India every ten years. The Census appropriates information from households regarding their incomes, the earning members, the total number of children, members of the family, etc. This method must take into account all the units. It cannot leave out anyone in collecting data. Once collected, the Census of India reveals demographic information such as birth rates, death rates, total population, population growth rate of our country, etc. The last census was conducted in the year 2011.

Sample survey

It is not always practical to collect information from all the units of the population. It is a time-consuming and costly method. Thus, an easy way out would be to collect information from some representative group from the population and then make observations accordingly. This representative group which contains some units from the whole population is called the sample.

How to select a Sample?

The first most important step in selecting a sample is to determine the population. Once the population is identified, a sample must be selected. A good sample is one which is:

·         Small in size.

·         It provides adequate information about the whole population.

·         It takes less time to collect and is less costly.

 Difference between Census and Sample Surveys

Parameter	Census	Sample Survey
Definition	A statistical method that studies all the units or members of a population.	A statistical method that studies only a representative group of the population, and not all its members.
Calculation	Total/Complete	Partial
Time involved	It is a time-consuming process.	It is a quicker process.
Cost involved	It is a costly method.	It is a relatively inexpensive method.
Accuracy	The results obtained are accurate as each member is surveyed. So, there is a negligible error.	The results are relatively inaccurate due to leaving out of items from the sample. The resulting error is large.
Reliability	Highly reliable	Low reliability
Error	Not present	The smaller the sample size, the larger the error.
Relevance	This method is suited for heterogeneous data.	This method is suited for homogeneous data.