What is a representative sample example?

A representative sample example is when a company surveys 1,000 customers from different demographics in proportion to their overall customer base. For instance, if 60% of customers are female and 40% male, the sample would include approximately 600 females and 400 males, ensuring all key characteristics of the population are represented.

What is the difference between a random sample and a representative sample?

A random sample selects participants purely by chance, giving everyone an equal opportunity to be chosen, while a representative sample deliberately matches the demographics and characteristics of the larger population. Random sampling is a method to achieve representativeness, but not all random samples are perfectly representative.

How do I know if my sample is representative?

You can verify sample representativeness by comparing key demographic characteristics (age, gender, income, etc.) between your sample and the target population. Statistical tests like chi-square can help determine if differences are significant. A truly representative sample should have proportionally similar characteristics to the population it represents.

Is 10% a representative sample?

The representativeness of a sample depends on its composition rather than simply its size. While 10% might be sufficient for large populations, what matters most is whether the sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the entire population. For small populations, you might need more than 10%, while for very large populations, even less than 1% could be representative if properly selected.

How can I create a representative sample with limited resources?

With limited resources, focus on stratified random sampling by dividing your population into key subgroups and randomly selecting proportional participants from each. Use demographic data to establish quotas, employ multiple recruitment channels to reach diverse participants, and validate your sample against known population parameters to ensure representativeness despite resource constraints.

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Representative Sample: Types, Methods and Best Practices