To estimate immunisation coverage nationally, a researcher first randomly selects 10 states, then randomly selects 2 districts within each selected state, then randomly selects 5 villages per district, and finally surveys every household in the chosen villages. This design is best described as:

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

Explanation

Multistage sampling involves successive random selection at each hierarchical level, here state, district, village and household, using progressively smaller sampling units. Simple cluster sampling selects groups in a single stage and then studies units inside them, whereas stratified sampling divides the population into strata and samples from every stratum rather than from a random subset of them, distinguishing it from option B.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.