Give the advantages of the sample method over the census method.
Sample method has the following merits (or advantages) over the census method:
(i) Less time-consuming: Since the sample is a study of the part of the population, considerable time is saved when a sample survey is carried out. Time is saved not only in collecting data but also in processing it.
(ii) Less cost: Under sample method, a lot of expenses are saved in terms of money and labour not only in the collection of data but also in the administration, transport and training etc. This is because in the sampling method, a part of the population is studied and examined to arrive at the desired conclusion.
(iii) Greater Scope: In certain types of enquiry, highly trained personnel or specific types of equipment are needed to obtain and analyse the data. In such cases,sampling methods are more suitable.
(iv) More detailed information: Since the sampling method saves time and money, it is possible to collect more detailed information in a sample survey.