Sample

How it is used

Researchers select, recruit or draw a sample. Sample size, representative sample, random sampling and convenience sampling are standard terms in methods sections. Sampling is the name for the selection process.

Example sentences

1. The sample consisted of 312 first-year students from three universities.

2. Because the sample was small, the results cannot be generalized to all teachers.

Common collocations

• sample size
• representative sample
• random sample
• convenience sample
• recruit a sample

Related terms

• participantA person who takes part in a study, for example by answering a questionnaire, being interviewed or completing an experiment.
• quantitativeDescribing research that collects numerical data and uses statistics to measure, compare or test relationships, often with larger samples.
• validityThe extent to which a study or instrument really measures what it claims to measure and supports the conclusions drawn from it.
• questionnaireA set of written questions given to many people to collect information about their opinions, experiences or behavior.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• sample · Software Engineering
• sample · Data Science & Analytics
• sample · Psychology
• sample · Statistics
• sample · Geology & Earth Sciences
• sample · International Trade
• sample · Music
• sample · Fashion & Textiles

More terms: Research Design

• research
• research question
• hypothesis
• methodology
• qualitative
• case study
• carry out
• reliability
• mixed methods
• variable
• survey
• data collection