ASTM E105-16

Standard Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials

ABSTRACT
This practice is primarily a statement of principles for the guidance of ASTM technical committees and others in the preparation of a sampling plan for a specific material. The purpose of the sample may be to estimate properties of a larger population, such as a lot, pile or shipment, the percentage of some constituent, the fraction of the items that fail to meet (or meet) a specified requirement, the average characteristic or quality of an item, the total weight of the shipment, or the probable maximum or minimum content of some chemical. A probability sampling plan will possess an objective procedure for the selection of the sample with the use of random numbers and a definite formula for the estimate and standard error of any estimate.
This practice also covers the minimum standards for a probability sampling plan, selection of sample, sampling of bulk materials, selection of sample, and planning for sampling.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of the sample may be to estimate properties of a larger population, such as a lot, pile or shipment, the percentage of some constituent, the fraction of the items that fail to meet (or meet) a specified requirement, the average characteristic or quality of an item, the total weight of the shipment, or the probable maximum or minimum content of, say, some chemical.  
4.2 The purpose may be the rational disposition of a lot or shipment without the intermediate step of the formation of an estimate.  
4.3 The purpose may be to provide aid toward rational action concerning the production process that generated the lot, pile or shipment.  
4.4 Whatever the purpose of the sample, adhering to the principles of probability sampling will allow the uncertainties, such as bias and variance of estimates or the risks of the rational disposition or action, to be calculated objectively and validly from the theory of combinatorial probabilities. This assumes, of course, that the sampling operations themselves were carried out properly, as well. For example, that any random numbers required were generated properly, the units to be sampled from were correctly identified, located, and drawn, and the measurements were made with measurement error at a level not exceeding the required purposes.  
4.5 Determination of bias and variance and of risks can be calculated when the selection was only partially determined by random numbers and a frame, but they then require suppositions and assumptions which may be more or less mistaken or require additional data which may introduce experimental error.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is primarily a statement of principles for the guidance of ASTM technical committees and others in the preparation of a sampling plan for a specific material.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2016
• ICS: 91.100.01 - Construction materials in general
• Technical Committee: E11 - Quality and Statistics
• Drafting Committee: E11.10 - Sampling / Statistics

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E105 − 16 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
1
Probability Sampling of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E105; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Significance and Use
4.1 The purpose of the sample may be to estimate properties
1.1 This practice is primarily a statement of principles for
of a larger population, such as a lot, pile or shipment, the
the guidance of ASTM technical committees and others in the
percentage of some constituent, the fraction of the items that
preparation of a sampling plan for a specific material.
fail to meet (or meet) a specified requirement, the average
characteristic or quality of an item, the total weight of the
2. Referenced Documents
shipment, or the probable maximum or minimum content of,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
say, some chemical.
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
4.2 The purpose may be the rational disposition of a lot or
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
shipment without the intermediate step of the formation of an
Lot or Process
estimate.
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
E141 Practice for Acceptance of Evidence Based on the
4.3 The purpose may be to provide aid toward rational
Results of Probability Sampling
action concerning the production process that generated the lot,
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
pile or shipment.
E1402 Guide for Sampling Design
4.4 Whatever the purpose of the sample, adhering to the
principles of probability sampling will allow the uncertainties,
3. Terminology
such as bias and variance of estimates or the risks of the
3.1 Definitions:
rational disposition or action, to be calculated objectively and
3.1.1 For general terminology, refer to Terminology E456 validly from the theory of combinatorial probabilities. This
and Guide E1402.
assumes, of course, that the sampling operations themselves
were carried out properly, as well. For example, that any
3.1.2 judgment sampling, n—a procedure whereby enu-
random numbers required were generated properly, the units to
merators select a few items of the population, based on visual,
be sampled from were correctly identified, located, and drawn,
positional, or other cues that are believed to be related to the
variable of interest, so that the selected items appear to match and the measurements were made with measurement error at a
level not exceeding the required purposes.
the population.
4.5 Determination of bias and variance and of risks can be
3.1.3 probability sampling plan, n—a sampling plan which
calculated when the selection was only partially determined by
makes use of the theory of probability to combine a suitable
random numbers and a frame, but they then require supposi-
procedure for selecting sample items with an appropriate
tions and assumptions which may be more or less mistaken or
procedure for summarizing the test results so that inferences
require additional data which may introduce experimental
may be drawn and risks calculated from the test results by the
error.
theory of probability.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—For any given set of conditions, there
5. Characteristics of a Probability Sampling Plan
will usually be several possible plans, all valid, but differing in
speed, simplicity, and cost. Further discussion is provided in
5.1 A probability sampling plan will possess certain char-
Practice E141.
acteristics of importance, as follows:
5.1.1 It will possess an objective procedure for the selection
of the sample, with the use of random numbers.
1
5.1.2 It will include a definite formula for the estimate, if
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E11 on Quality and
Statistics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E11.10 on Sampling /
there is to be an estimate; also for the standard error of any
Statistics.
estimate. If the sample is used for decision without the
Current edition approved April 1, 2016. Published April 2016. Originally
intermediate step of an estimate, the decision process will
approved in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E105 – 10. DOI:
10.1520/E0105-16. follow definite rules. In acceptance sampling, for example,
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E105 − 16
these are often based on predetermined risks of taking the tion to size, will satisfy the requirement; likewise every plan
undesired action when the true levels of the characteristic
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E105 − 10 E105 − 16 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
1
Probability Sampling of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E105; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice is primarily a statement of principles for the guidance of ASTM technical committees and others in the
preparation of a sampling plan for a specific material.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or
Process
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
E141 Practice for Acceptance of Evidence Based on the Results of Probability Sampling
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E1402 Guide for Sampling Design
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For general terminology, refer to Terminology E456 and Guide E1402.
3.1.2 judgment sampling, n—a procedure whereby enumerators select a few items of the population, based on visual, positional,
or other cues that are believed to be related to the variable of interest, so that the selected items appear to match the population.
3.1.3 probability sampling plan, n—a sampling plan which makes use of the theory of probability to combine a suitable
procedure for selecting sample items with an appropriate procedure for summarizing the test results so that inferences may be
drawn and risks calculated from the test results by the theory of probability.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E11 on Quality and Statistics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E11.10 on Sampling / Statistics.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010April 1, 2016. Published November 2010April 2016. Originally approved in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 20042010 as
E105 – 04.E105 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/E0105-10.10.1520/E0105-16.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
For any given set of conditions, there will usually be several possible plans, all valid, but differing in speed, simplicity, and cost.
Further discussion is provided in Practice E141.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The purpose of the sample may be to estimate properties of a larger population, such as a lot, pile or shipment, the
percentage of some constituent, the fraction of the items that fail to meet (or meet) a specified requirement, the average
characteristic or quality of an item, the total weight of the shipment, or the probable maximum or minimum content of, say, some
chemical.
4.2 The purpose may be the rational disposition of a lot or shipment without the intermediate step of the formation of an
estimate.
4.3 The purpose may be to provide aid toward rational action concerning the production process that generated the lot, pile or
shipment.
4.4 Whatever the purpose of the sample, adhering to the principles of probability sampling will allow the uncertainties, such
as bias and variance of estimates or the risks of the rational disposition or action, to be calculated objectively and validly from the
theory of combinatorial probabilities. This assumes, of course, that the sampling operations themselves were carried out properly,
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E105 − 16
as well. For example, that any random numbers required were generated properly, the units to be sampled from were correctly
identified, located, and drawn, and the measurements were made with measurement error at a level not exceeding the required
purposes.
4.5 Determination of bias and variance and of risks can be calculated when the selection was only partially determined by
random numbers and a frame, but they then require suppositions and assumptions which may be more or less mistaken or require
additional data which may introduce experimental error.
5. Characteristics of a Probability Sampling Plan
5.1 A probability sampling plan will possess certain characteristics of importance, as follows:
5.1.1 It will possess an objective procedure for the selection of the sample, with the use of random numbers.
5.1.2 It will include a definite formula for the estimate, if there is to be an estimate; also for the standard error of any estimate.
If the
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