To estimate immunisation coverage nationally, an investigator first randomly selects 10 states, then randomly selects 4 districts within each selected state, then randomly selects villages within each district, and finally samples households within selected villages. This design is called:

• A Stratified random sampling
• B Systematic random sampling
• C Multistage random sampling ✓
• D Simple random sampling

Explanation

Multistage sampling involves sampling in successive stages, moving from larger units such as states down to smaller units such as districts, villages and households, with random selection at each stage. Stratified sampling divides the population into homogeneous strata and samples from every stratum, which is not done here since only 10 of many states enter the sample. Systematic sampling uses a fixed interval, and simple random sampling selects units directly in one step.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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