Question

Which of the following errors is more serious and why?

(a) Sampling error

(b) Non-sampling error

Answer 1

Sampling error refers to the difference between the sample estimate and the actual value of a population characteristic. This type of error occurs when one makes an observation from the sample taken from the population. It is possible to reduce the magnitude of sampling error by taking a larger sample.

Non-sampling errors are more serious than sampling errors because a sampling error can be minimised by taking a larger sample but it is difficult to minimise non-sampling error, even by taking a large sample. Even a Census can contain non-sampling errors. These include errors in data acquisition, non-response errors and sampling bias.