What is a sample?
Google that term.
A small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like.
Ms. Sue, what if this person doesn't have google? Who knows, he/she might be foreign.
If the person tells me s/he doesn't have Google, I'd immediately post a different answer.
A sample is a portion or subset of a larger group or population that is used to represent the whole. In many fields, such as statistics, research, and business, samples are taken to gather information about a population without having to examine every individual member.
To understand the concept of a sample, let's go through the process of sample selection:
1. Define the population: Start by defining the entire group or population you want to study. For example, if you are interested in studying the eating habits of teenagers in a particular city, the population would be all teenagers in that city.
2. Determine the sample size: Decide on the number of individuals you want to include in your sample. The sample size should be large enough to provide meaningful and representative results while being manageable within your resources.
3. Choose a sampling method: There are various sampling methods to select a sample from a population. Some common techniques include simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and convenience sampling. The choice of sampling method depends on the research objective and practical considerations.
4. Randomize the selection: If using random sampling, ensure that every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected. This helps to eliminate bias and ensure representativeness.
5. Collect data from the sample: Once the sample is selected, collect data by conducting surveys, interviews, experiments, or any other appropriate method for your study. It's crucial to ensure that the data collection process is standardized and consistent across all sample members.
6. Analyze the sample data: After data collection, analyze the information gathered from the sample. Statistical techniques are then applied, such as calculating averages, proportions, correlations, or performing hypothesis tests, to draw conclusions about the population.
By studying a well-selected sample, researchers can make inferences and draw conclusions about the larger population, even though they have only examined a relatively small group of individuals.