We consider an intercept only linear random effects model for analysis of data from a two stage cluster sampling design. At the first stage a simple random sample of clusters is drawn, and at the second stage a simple random sample of elementary units is taken within each selected cluster. Our purpose is to use our simpler context to compare the results of likelihood inference with inference based on a pairwise composite likelihood function that is treated as an approximate likelihood, in particular treated as the likelihood component in Bayesian inference.