Independent Sample

Definition

An independent sample refers to a group of observations or data points that are not related or dependent on each other. Each observation is selected randomly and does not influence the selection of other observations.

Analogy

Imagine you have two separate bowls filled with different colored candies. The candies in one bowl do not affect the candies in the other bowl. They are independent samples because they were chosen randomly and have no connection to each other.

Related terms

Dependent Sample: A dependent sample consists of observations that are related or connected to each other in some way, such as before-and-after measurements.

Random Sampling: Random sampling involves selecting individuals from a population randomly, ensuring that every individual has an equal chance of being included in the sample.

Sampling Bias: Sampling bias occurs when certain members of a population are more likely to be included in a sample than others, leading to an unrepresentative sample.