A representative sample is a subset of a population that accurately reflects the members of the entire population. It is used to make inferences about the population without surveying every individual.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Representative samples reduce bias, ensuring that all subgroups of a population are included proportionally.
The accuracy of a representative sample depends on its size and how it is chosen (randomly or systematically).
Representative samples are essential for statistical inference, allowing conclusions about the population with known levels of confidence.
Stratified sampling can be used to ensure that different segments of the population are adequately represented in the sample.
Non-representative samples can lead to incorrect conclusions and undermine the validity of statistical analysis.