samplingramme

Samplingramme is the set of units from which a sample for a statistical study is drawn. It represents the portion of the population that is accessible for selection and should be usable for assigning sampling probabilities. The samplingramme is the practical realization of the population, and its quality directly affects the validity of study results. In many contexts, the term is synonymous with the sampling frame.

Construction and maintenance: To build a samplingramme, researchers specify the target population and choose an appropriate frame or combination of frames (for example, address lists, voter or business registries, census blocks, or cloud-based panels). The frame should be as complete and up-to-date as possible, with duplicates removed and errors minimized. When coverage is incomplete, undercoverage or overcoverage may occur. Frame linkage, updates, and quality checks are common tasks, and multi-frame approaches may be used to improve representativeness.

Usage and implications: Samplingramme enables the application of probabilistic sampling methods such as simple random sampling, stratified sampling, or systematic sampling. If the frame is imperfect, researchers adjust sampling weights to compensate for known biases and to account for nonresponse. In some designs, the frame is augmented with additional sources to reduce coverage gaps, a strategy known as multi-frame sampling.

Applications: Sampling frames are used in many surveys and market research projects, including national household surveys, health studies, and business censuses. They require careful documentation of frame source, scope, and limitations to ensure transparent methodology.