Why is Stratified Sampling Important in Epidemiology?
In epidemiological research, accurately representing the population is critical. Stratified sampling addresses several important issues:
1. Improved Accuracy: By ensuring that each subgroup is proportionately represented, stratified sampling reduces sampling bias and increases the accuracy of estimates. 2. Increased Precision: Stratified sampling often results in smaller variances within each stratum, leading to more precise overall estimates. 3. Enhanced Comparisons: It allows for more detailed subgroup analyses, which can reveal important differences and trends that might be missed with other sampling methods.