What are the essentials or required qualities of a sample?
What are the essentials or required qualities of a sample?
In order to arrive at unbiased and right conclusions, a sample must have the following qualities or essentials.
(1) Representative: A sample must represent all the characteristics of the universe. It is possible only when each unit of the universe stands equal chances of being selected in the sample.
(2) Independent: All units of a sample must be independent of each other. In other words, the inclusion of one item in the sample should not be dependent upon the inclusion of some other items of the universe.
(3) Homogeneity: If more than one sample is selected from a universe, these samples should be homogeneous (and not contradictory) to each other.
(4) Adequacy: The number of items in the sample should be fairly adequate so that some reliable conclusions are drawn covering the characteristics of the universe as a whole.
In order to arrive at unbiased and right conclusions, a sample must have the following qualities or essentials.
(1) Representative: A sample must represent all the characteristics of the universe. It is possible only when each unit of the universe stands equal chances of being selected in the sample.
(2) Independent: All units of a sample must be independent of each other. In other words, the inclusion of one item in the sample should not be dependent upon the inclusion of some other items of the universe.
(3) Homogeneity: If more than one sample is selected from a universe, these samples should be homogeneous (and not contradictory) to each other.
(4) Adequacy: The number of items in the sample should be fairly adequate so that some reliable conclusions are drawn covering the characteristics of the universe as a whole.
