Sampling and representativeness

Two adults use fieldwork instruments on a rocky shore.
Fictional fieldwork illustration

A sample captures part of a population or space. Random, systematic and stratified designs answer different practical needs; a convenient sample can exclude places or people.

Explain the target population, selection method and coverage. Repeating measurements improves precision but does not automatically remove selection bias.

Put the concept to work

Mean, median and range · Standard deviation · Interquartile range