Complex random sampling designs are probability sampling done with restricted sampling techniques. They are also called mixed sampling designs as they tend to combine probability and non-probability sampling procedures during sample selection.
Some of the popular complex random sampling designs are as follows:
(i) Systematic sampling: The researchers sometimes select every ith item from a list, this is known as systematic sampling. The first unit is a random number and the next unit onwards they are selected at the same fixed intervals.
(ii) Stratified sampling: In a very diverse universe stratified sampling is used were the population is divided into several groups that are more similar and then items are selected from each strata as a sample. The strata is a subjective choice of the researcher based on his experience and judgment by using simple random sampling.
(iii) Cluster sampling: In cluster sampling within the population there might be similar groups these are divided into a number of small homogeneous subdivisions then some of these clusters are randomly selected as sample. Cluster sampling is highly economic. The difference between stratified sampling and cluster sampling is that in stratified sampling a random sample is drawn from each of the strata, whereas in cluster sampling only the selected clusters are studied.
(iv) Area sampling: In area sampling a large area is divided into smaller parts and then samples are selected randomly. This is a type of cluster sampling were the cluster of units is based on geographic area.
(v) Multi-stage sampling: Multi-stage sampling is a complex type of cluster sampling. Multi-stage sampling is used in researches where the entire universe is very large, for example the entire country; the researcher selects samples in various levels. The researcher after selecting clusters from all universe than randomly selects elements from each cluster. This type of sampling is cost effective and easy to administer.
(vi) Probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling: Probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling: Sometimes cluster sampling units lack equal number of elements; in such cases the researcher uses a random selection process where the probability of selection of each sub group is proportional to the size of the cluster. The actual numbers selected are indicative of the clusters chosen and selected. PPS avoids under representation of any one group.
(vii) Sequential sampling: This is a complex sampling design was the size of the sample is not fixed earlier but is determined according the need of the researcher. In this type of sampling method, the researcher does his research on a particular sample if not satisfied takes another sample unit and so on. The researchers keeps fine tuning the experiment and decides only after doing the experiment whether more samples are needed or not.