---
title: "Sampling"
slug: "sampling"
updated: 2025-10-15T08:24:30Z
published: 2025-10-15T08:24:30Z
canonical: "vamresources.manuals.wfp.org/sampling"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vamresources.manuals.wfp.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sampling

Sampling is fundamental in quantitative assessments to ensure representativeness of the data. The WFP Sampling Guidance on Household Food Security Assessments is designed to support Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Officers in planning and implementing statistically sound and operationally feasible surveys.

The guidance provides:

- **Tips** on selecting appropriate sampling methods.
- **Step-by-step sample size calculation** tailored to different survey designs
- **Guidance on constructing and applying survey weights,** especially for complex face-to-face and remote surveys.
- **Decision tools and checklists** to help navigate sampling choices under resource constraints

**Available Resources for Food Security Assessments**

- [WFP Handbook: Sampling Guidance on Household Food Security Assessments](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000168485/download/)
- [RAM position paper on data stratification and disaggregation](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000142202/download/)
- [Sample size calculator for surveys with multiple outcomes](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/93db2b70f39145d8bf7fb2b90907bca0/download/)

**Available Resources for Assessments Including Nutrition Outcomes**

- [Emergency Nutrition Assessment (ENA) software](https://smartmethodology.org/survey-planning-tools/smart-emergency-nutrition-assessment/) is a user-friendly analytical program recommended by SMART. It has automated functions for sample size calculations, sample selection, quality checks, standardization for anthropometry measurements, and report generation with automatic analyses. ENA is highly favoured by field practitioners; it facilitates survey planning, data collection, analysis and reporting with the ability to generate automatic standard tables and graphs for anthropometric indices and plausibility check reports

For more information, please contact the Assessments and Targeting Unit in HQ VAM at [global.assessmentandtargeting@wfp.org](mailto:global.assessmentandtargeting@wfp.org).