However, the cost savings on account of reduced travel and time might still mean that even with the additional sample size, cluster sampling turns out to be the cheaper option.Ĭluster sampling can be further optimized by using multi-stage clustering. To alleviate this, the sample size for cluster sampling is usually larger than that for simple random sampling, as the characteristics of the members in a cluster usually tend to be similar and may not capture all the population characteristics.
The cluster sample method’s effectiveness depends on how representative the members of the chosen clusters are when compared to the population. This can result in an increase in speed and greater cost savings on account of lesser logistical requirements.