This Virtual Online Fieldwork experience has led you through spatial data sampling involving real world applications and places, summarised as:

• An overview of what sampling is about was provided along with examples of applications and an overview of the specific study area, the Canning River Regional Park, which was used in these online virtual fieldwork exercises.
• The distinction between populations and samples was outlined, the types of data sources were identified and the steps of the sampling process were listed and explained.
• The traditional sampling methods involving non-probability (ie. convenience, judgmental and quota) and probability (simple random, stratified and systematic) based schemes were identified and explained.
• The discrete and continuous spatial universe types were explained and the spatial sampling methods were detailed:
  • random
  • systematic
  • stratified
  • transect
• Users could interact with various spatial sampling exercises to familiarise themselves with the sampling schemes and understand their application and issues associated with their implementation.

Thankyou for joining with us in the Virtu-o-Field experience!

Learning Outcomes Achieved

You should be able to understand the concepts of data sampling, and relate and explain the steps of the sampling process.

You should be able to list the traditional as well as spatial sampling methods and explain how they relate and/or differ.

You should be able to identify and apply an appropriate sampling scheme for a specific purpose in a particular study area.