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Statistics vocabulary · Sampling

Random sample

Meaning in statistics, with examples

nounCore term

In statistics, random sample means: A sample chosen so that every member of the population has a known, usually equal, chance of being selected, which helps avoid systematic bias.

In Turkish: rastgele örneklem, rassal örneklem, seçkisiz örneklem

How it is used

The ideal behind most inferential statistics. A 'simple random sample' gives everyone exactly the same chance; in practice researchers often use stratified or cluster designs instead. Do not call a group of people who were simply easy to reach a random sample.

Example sentences

  1. We drew a simple random sample of 300 patients from the hospital register.

  2. Because this was not a random sample, the results may not apply to all teachers.

Common collocations

  • simple random sample
  • draw a random sample
  • select at random
  • truly random sample
  • sampleA smaller group selected from a population and actually studied, so that conclusions about the whole population can be drawn from it.
  • stratified samplingA sampling method in which the population is first divided into subgroups (strata), such as regions or age groups, and a random sample is then taken from each one.
  • convenience sampleA sample made up of people who are easy to reach, such as students in the researcher's own class or visitors to a website, rather than people chosen at random.
  • sampling frameThe actual list or source from which a sample is drawn, such as a student register, a customer database or a list of addresses.
  • biasA systematic error that pushes results in one direction, so that estimates are consistently too high or too low rather than just randomly off.

More terms: Sampling

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