The sample is a subset of the population True False
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
True
A sample is indeed a subset of the population. In statistics, the population refers to the entire group that you want to draw conclusions about. However, it is often impractical or impossible to collect data from every member of the population. Instead, researchers use a sample, which is a smaller, manageable subset of the population. The goal is for the sample to be representative of the population so that conclusions drawn from the sample can be generalized back to the larger group.
For example, if you’re conducting a survey on the health habits of adults in a city, you cannot realistically ask every single adult. Instead, you select a sample, such as 500 adults from different neighborhoods, age groups, and backgrounds. By carefully choosing this sample to reflect the broader population, the findings can be extrapolated to understand the health habits of all adults in that city.
Key points about samples:
- Representativeness: The sample should closely match the population’s characteristics in order to make valid generalizations.
- Random Sampling: One way to ensure the sample is representative is through random sampling, where each individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected.
- Sample Size: Larger samples tend to be more representative of the population, reducing sampling error and increasing the reliability of conclusions.
In research, the sample plays a critical role in making inferences. The accuracy of the inferences depends on how well the sample reflects the population and the methods used to select it. If the sample is biased or too small, the results may not accurately represent the population. Therefore, selecting the right sample is essential to conducting sound research.
