1.2.2.1 - Minitab Express: Simple Random Sampling
Using simple random sampling methods, each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. We can use statistical software to select a simple random sample.
In the example below, we will use Minitab Express to randomly select 10 names from a class list.
MinitabExpress – Random Sampling from a Column
Open the following data set:
and randomly select 10 using Minitab Express by:
- On a PC or Mac select DATA > Sample from Columns
- Double-click on the variable Name in the box to the left to insert it into the "Take a sample from the following columns" box.
- In the box labeled "Number of rows in each sample", enter 10.
- By default, leave the method as "Sample without replacement".
- Click OK.
The result should be the following output:
Input | |
---|---|
Source data column | Name |
Number of rows sampled | 10 |
Method | Without replacement |
Output | |
---|---|
Sampled data column | C2 |
10 rows were sampled from Name and stored in C2. |
Along with a random sample of the names in the second column in the data worksheet:
C1 | C2 | |
---|---|---|
Name | Sample From Name | |
1 | Beckman | Qi |
2 | Beeson | Song |
3 | Boone | Walia |
4 | Botero | Gruver |
5 | Brooks | Corey |
6 | Brown | Cingolani |
7 | Campbell | Farooq |
8 | Cao | Yan |
9 | Chen | O'Donnell |
10 | Chen | Wang |
11 | Chung | |
12 | Cingolani | |
⋮ | ⋮ |
Since we are using simple random sampling procedures, the results will be different each time due to random sampling variation. Try these steps a few times, you should see that you get a different set of 10 names each time.
Select your operating system below to see a step-by-step guide for this example: