ABSTRACT
All design-based stereological methods rely upon extensive use of random and systematic random sampling. This chapter describes these concepts in a nonmathematical way and provides a basis for understanding the remainder of the book. We include several thought experiments and exercises to help nonmathematical readers to familiarize themselves with these concepts. Once grasped the methods used for random sampling can easily be applied to new situations. The remainder of this book describes how the concepts in Chapter 1 can be applied using the methods described here. Although later chapters can be followed without reading this chapter they cannot readily be understood. We therefore recommend that you make the effort to read and understand this chapter before you carry on; it will illuminate the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’ of the methods described later.1
