REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE Meaning and
Definition
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A representative sample is a subset of individuals or objects selected from a larger population that accurately reflects the characteristics, attributes, or qualities of that population. It is crucial in various fields, especially in social sciences, market research, and opinion polling, where it is impractical or impossible to collect data from the entire population.
To qualify as representative, the sample should be chosen in a way that ensures each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. This method, known as random sampling, helps minimize bias and improve the accuracy of the results.
The goal of a representative sample is to capture the diversity and variability present within the population, allowing researchers to draw meaningful conclusions and make statistically valid inferences about the whole population based on the gathered information. This technique relies on the principle that if the sample accurately represents the population, findings from the sample can be generalized to the entire population.
When constructing a representative sample, considerations such as size, sample frame, sampling method, and sampling error need to be taken into account. A larger sample size generally leads to more precise estimates, while sampling error measures the degree to which the sample estimates may differ from the actual population values.
In summary, a representative sample is a carefully selected subset that represents the larger population and allows researchers to make accurate and reliable predictions or draw conclusions about the population as a whole.
Common Misspellings for REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE
- eepresentative sample
- depresentative sample
- fepresentative sample
- tepresentative sample
- 5epresentative sample
- 4epresentative sample
- rwpresentative sample
- rspresentative sample
- rdpresentative sample
- rrpresentative sample
- r4presentative sample
- r3presentative sample
- reoresentative sample
- relresentative sample
- re-resentative sample
- re0resentative sample
- repeesentative sample
- repdesentative sample
- repfesentative sample
Etymology of REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE
The word "representative" originates from the Latin word "representare", which means "to present, exhibit or depict". In English, it began being used around the 17th century to refer to something or someone that stands in place of or represents something else.
The word "sample" has its roots in the Old French word "essample", which came from the Latin word "exemplum", meaning "example or pattern". It entered the English language during the 14th century and refers to a small portion or part of something that represents the whole.
Therefore, when combined, the term "representative sample" refers to a subsection or subset of a larger group or population that accurately represents or mirrors the characteristics of the entire group.
Similar spelling words for REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE
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