representative sample
a sample that is similar to or representative of the population
A representative sample is a subset of a larger population that accurately reflects the characteristics and attributes of the larger group. It is a group of individuals or objects that is selected from a larger population to provide insights into the characteristics of the population as a whole, and is chosen because it is expected to be typical of the population in question.
The purpose of a representative sample is to draw valid conclusions and make generalizations about the larger population based on information gathered from the smaller sample. The goal is to obtain a sample that accurately reflects the distribution of the different characteristics of the population, such as demographics, income level, education level, or any other relevant factors.
To obtain a representative sample, it is important to use a random sampling method, such as simple random sampling or stratified random sampling. In a random sampling method, each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample, which helps to ensure that the sample is representative. It is also important to have a large enough sample size to ensure that the sample is statistically significant and can be generalized to the population.
Overall, a representative sample is important in research because it allows for valid conclusions to be drawn about the larger population, which is often not feasible to study in its entirety.
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