Sampling Bias
Definition
Sampling bias occurs when some members of your intended population have lower sampling probability than others or when there's systematic difference between samples taken at different times or places. It can lead to misleading results.
Analogy
Let's say you're trying to find out what the most popular ice cream flavor is in your city. If you only ask people at a strawberry festival, your results will be biased towards strawberry because you didn't give other flavors an equal chance of being chosen.
Related terms
Selection Bias: A statistical bias in which there is an error due to a non-random selection of participants for a study or poll.
Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.
Observer Bias: Systematic errors in observation that occur because of an observer's expectations.
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