Difference between Census Method and Sampling Method of Collecting Data

Collection of Data is the first step of the statistical investigation and can be gathered through two different sources, namely, primary sources and secondary sources. Besides primary and secondary sources of collecting data, there are two essential methods of collecting data; i.e., Census Method and Sampling Method.

What is Census Method?

A method in which an investigator collects data related to the problem under investigation by covering every item of the population or universe is known as the Census Method of Collecting Data. This method is usually preferable when the population size is small, or there are widely diverse items in the population, or the investigation requires intensive examination of different items or a high degree of reliability and accuracy. For example, the Census of the population is the most essential method of statistical inquiry.

What is Sample Method?

A method in which an investigator collects data about the sample on a group of items that are taken from the population is known as the Sample Method of Collecting Data. The sample is taken from the population because the examination and conclusions for the problem under investigation are drawn on their basis. For example, testing only one or two pulses to check whether the whole container of pulses is boiled or not.

Difference between Census Method and Sampling Method of Collecting Data

Some principal differences between census and Sampling Methods are as follows:

Basis of Difference	Census Method	Sampling Method
Coverage	In the Census Method of Collecting Data, information is collected by the investigator related to all the items in the population.	In the Sampling Method of Collecting Data, information is collected by the investigator by taking some of the items representing the whole population.
Suitability	When the area of investigation is relatively small, the Census Method of Collecting Data is suitable.	When the area of investigation is large then Sampling Method is preferred.
Accuracy	Census Method generally provides a greater degree of accuracy rather than the Sampling Method. The reason behind this accuracy is that the Census Method includes the study of each and every item of the population.	The Sampling Method provides less accuracy because this method involves the study of only a few items of the population. However, as the number of items is small in the Sampling Method, it is easy to detect and remove errors. Therefore, in that case, the Sampling Method gives more accuracy than the Census Method.
Time	Census Method takes more time in collecting data.	Sampling Method takes less time in collecting data.
Cost	The Census Method is more expensive than the Sampling Method of Collecting Data. It is because this method includes the whole population.	The Sampling Method is less expensive than the Census Method of Collecting Data. It is because this method includes a small sample size.
Nature of Items	When the items in the population taken for study have diverse characteristics, in that case, Census Method is preferred.	When the items in the population taken for study are homogeneous, in that case, the Sampling Method is preferred.
Verification	Generally, it is not possible to verify the statistical information gathered through Census Method as it includes huge expenses and repeats the whole process.	It is easy to verify the statistical information gathered through the Sampling Method. Besides, if there is any doubt then the investigator can perform enumeration again and can verify facts accordingly.

With the above points of comparison between the Census Method and the Sampling Method of Collecting data, it can be concluded that the latter method is usually preferred over the former method. It is because the Sampling Method is less expensive than the Census Method in terms of time, effort, and money. However, while performing the Sampling Method, it is essential for the investigator to take a sample that represents the characteristics of the population as a whole.