Sampling plan allocation schedule – UGC NET Question

A sampling plan outlines in detail how a sample will be drawn from the population, including allocations to strata or clusters and procedures for random selection. It ensures that the sampling process is systematic and follows the research design. By deciding in advance how many units will be taken from each subgroup, the researcher can achieve representativeness and precision. Thus, the schedule of allocations described in the stem is best termed a sampling plan.

Option A:
A sampling frame is the actual list or database of population elements from which the sample is selected, not the decision document specifying allocations and procedures. While essential, it is different from the plan that governs how many are chosen from each subgroup. Therefore, frame is not the correct answer.

Option B:
A sampling strategy indicates the overall approach, such as stratified, cluster or systematic sampling, but may not specify exact numbers for each stratum or cluster. The stem focuses on a concrete schedule of how many participants will be selected from each subgroup, which is more specific than a general strategy. Hence, strategy is not the best completion.

Option C:
A sampling plan details selection steps, allocation rules and sometimes replacement policies, translating the chosen strategy into actionable decisions. This aligns precisely with the stem’s description of specifying how many participants will be taken from each stratum or cluster.

Option D:
Sampling error refers to the difference between sample statistics and population parameters due to using a subset rather than the whole population. It is a type of error, not the pre-specified schedule for drawing the sample, so error is not appropriate here.