What is a sample in statistics? What are the essential features of a good sample?
What is a sample in statistics? What are the essential features of a good sample?
A sample is that part of the universe or population which is selected for the purpose of investigation. A sample represents the characteristics of the universe.
Essentials of a good sample: A sample must have the following qualities in order to arrive at unbiased and right conclusions.
(i) Representative: All characteristics of the universe must be represented by sample. It is possible only when each unit of the universe stands an equal chance of being selected in the sample.
(ii) Independence: All units of the sample must be independent of each other,i.e., one item of the sample should not be dependent upon the other item of the universe.
(iii) Homogeneity: All selected samples should be homogeneous to each other and not contradictory
(iv) Adequacy: The number of items selected as sample should be fairly adequate so that some reliable conclusions are drawn for the universe as a whole.
A sample is that part of the universe or population which is selected for the purpose of investigation. A sample represents the characteristics of the universe.
Essentials of a good sample: A sample must have the following qualities in order to arrive at unbiased and right conclusions.
(i) Representative: All characteristics of the universe must be represented by sample. It is possible only when each unit of the universe stands an equal chance of being selected in the sample.
(ii) Independence: All units of the sample must be independent of each other,i.e., one item of the sample should not be dependent upon the other item of the universe.
(iii) Homogeneity: All selected samples should be homogeneous to each other and not contradictory
(iv) Adequacy: The number of items selected as sample should be fairly adequate so that some reliable conclusions are drawn for the universe as a whole.
