Population vs. Sample: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 15, 2024
Population refers to the entire group of interest in a study, while a sample is a subset of that population selected for analysis.
Key Differences
Population encompasses the whole group or set being studied, representing every member or element under consideration. In contrast, a sample is a smaller, manageable segment of the population, chosen to represent the larger group. Both are crucial in research; the population defines the scope of study, while the sample determines the practicality of the research.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
In statistical terms, the population is the complete set of items or individuals with a characteristic one wishes to understand or analyze. A sample, however, is a portion of this population, selected to gather data in a feasible manner. While the population gives the broader context, the sample provides a practical way to obtain data without studying every individual or item in the population.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
The concept of a population is integral to any study aiming for generality across a broad scope, while a sample is used when the population size makes it impractical or impossible to study each member. The population is theoretical and often large, whereas the sample is tangible and smaller in size, yet representative of the population.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
In research, conclusions are often made about the population based on the findings from the sample. This is because studying an entire population is usually impractical. Therefore, the sample must be carefully selected to accurately reflect the population, ensuring that the study's findings are valid and applicable to the larger group.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
The differences between population and sample are essential in understanding the limits of research findings. The population represents the ideal, complete set of data, while the sample is the actual, practical set used for analysis. This distinction affects the accuracy and applicability of research conclusions, as findings from the sample are generalized to the population.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The entire group of interest in a study.
A subset of the population selected for analysis.
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Jan 15, 2024
Selection
Includes every member of the group.
Involves specific criteria for selection.
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Jan 15, 2024
Research Feasibility
Often impractical to study directly.
More practical for conducting research.
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Jan 15, 2024
Generalization
Findings are generalized from the sample to it.
Represents the population in findings.
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Jan 15, 2024
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Population and Sample Definitions
Population
It represents a distinct group of people with common characteristics.
The adult population tends to be more politically active than younger demographics.
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Jan 06, 2024
Sample
In statistics, a sample is a subset of a population used for analysis.
The survey results are based on a sample of 1,000 respondents.
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Jan 06, 2024
Population
Population refers to all inhabitants of a particular area.
The population of New York City is diverse and bustling.
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Jan 06, 2024
Sample
Sample refers to a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like.
The chef offered a sample of the new dish for feedback.
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Jan 06, 2024
Population
In statistics, population is the complete set of items or individuals being studied.
The population for this study includes all college students in the United States.
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Jan 06, 2024
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Sample
In music, sampling involves taking a portion of one sound recording and reusing it in a different song or piece.
The hip-hop artist sampled a classic funk track in his new song.
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Jan 06, 2024
Sample
Sample also means to take a sample of something for analysis.
The researchers sampled the river water to test for pollutants.
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Jan 06, 2024
Sample
Sample can also represent a specimen taken for scientific testing or analysis.
The blood sample was sent to the lab for further examination.
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Jan 06, 2024
Population
The total number of inhabitants constituting a particular race, class, or group in a specified area.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
A portion, piece, or segment that is representative of a whole
Showed samples of a new stretch fabric.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
A specimen taken for analysis or testing
A blood sample.
A water sample.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
(Ecology) All the organisms of a given species interacting in a specified area.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
(Statistics) A set of data or elements drawn from a larger population and analyzed to estimate the characteristics of that population. Also called sampling.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
(Statistics) The set of individuals, items, or data from which a statistical sample is taken. Also called universe.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
A usually digitized audio segment taken from an original recording and inserted, often repetitively, in a new recording.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
The people living within a political or geographical boundary.
The population of New Jersey will not stand for this!
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
One of a series of pieces of data representing a digitized approximation of an analog signal.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
(by extension) The people with a given characteristic.
India has the third-largest population of English-speakers in the world.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
To take a sample of, especially to test or examine by a sample
The restaurant critic who must sample a little of everything.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
A count of the number of residents within a political or geographical boundary such as a town, a nation or the world.
The town’s population is only 243.
Population explosion;
Population growth
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
To use or incorporate (an audio segment of an original recording) in a new recording
A song that samples the bassline of a 1970s disco tune.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
(biology) A collection of organisms of a particular species, sharing a particular characteristic of interest, most often that of living in a given area.
A seasonal migration annually changes the populations in two or more biotopes drastically, many twice in opposite senses.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
To represent the value of (an analog signal) at a particular point in time by means of a piece of digital data.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
(statistics) A group of units (persons, objects, or other items) enumerated in a census or from which a sample is drawn.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
Serving as a representative or example
Sample test questions.
A sample piece of fabric.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
(computing) The act of filling initially empty items in a collection.
John clicked the Search button and waited for the population of the list to complete.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
A part or snippet of something taken or presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen.
A blood sample
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
The act or process of populating; multiplication of inhabitants.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
(statistics) A subset of a population selected for measurement, observation or questioning, to provide statistical information about the population.
Large samples are generally more reliable than small samples due to having less variability.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
The whole number of people, or inhabitants, in a country, or portion of a country; as, a population of ten millions.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
(cooking) A small quantity of food for tasting, typically given away for free.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
The people who inhabit a territory or state;
The population seemed to be well fed and clothed
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
(business) A small piece of some goods, for determining quality, colour, etc., typically given away for free.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
A group of organisms of the same species populating a given area;
They hired hunters to keep down the deer population
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
(music) Gratuitous borrowing of easily recognised phases (or moments) from other music (or movies) in a recording.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
(statistics) the entire aggregation of items from which samples can be drawn;
It is an estimate of the mean of the population
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
The number of inhabitants (either the total number or the number of a particular race or class) in a given place (country or city etc.);
People come and go, but the population of this town has remained approximately constant for the past decade
The African-American population of Salt Lake City has been increasing
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
The act of populating (causing to live in a place);
He deplored the population of colonies with convicted criminals
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
To reduce a continuous signal (such as a sound wave) to a discrete signal.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
In biology, population denotes a group of organisms of the same species inhabiting a specific area.
The deer population in the forest has increased this year.
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Jan 06, 2024
Sample
To reuse a portion of (an existing sound recording) in a new piece of music.
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Jan 05, 2024
Population
Population can also mean the act or process of populating an area.
The population of the newly discovered island occurred rapidly.
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Jan 06, 2024
Sample
Example; pattern.
Thus he concludes, and every hardy knightHis sample followed.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
A part of anything presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen; as, goods are often purchased by samples.
I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
To take or to test a sample or samples of; as, to sample sugar, teas, wools, cloths.
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
Items selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population
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Jan 05, 2024
Sample
All or part of a natural object that is collected and preserved as an example of its class
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Jan 05, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Why can't researchers always study the entire population?
Studying the entire population is often impractical due to its size, cost, and time constraints.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
What is a population in research?
A population in research refers to the entire group that is the subject of study.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
How is a sample related to a population?
A sample is a subset of a population, used to represent the larger group in research.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
What is a random sample?
A random sample is where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
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Jan 15, 2024
How do researchers ensure a sample represents a population?
Researchers use various sampling methods, like random sampling, to ensure the sample accurately represents the population.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Why is sample size important in research?
Sample size is crucial as it impacts the accuracy and reliability of research findings.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
What happens if a sample is biased?
A biased sample can lead to incorrect conclusions, as it does not accurately represent the population.
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Jan 15, 2024
Can a sample provide accurate information about a population?
Yes, a properly selected sample can provide accurate insights about a population.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
How is a population different from a community?
A population includes all members of a specific group, while a community is a group living in the same area or sharing common interests.
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Jan 15, 2024
Is it possible to study multiple samples from the same population?
Yes, researchers often study multiple samples from the same population for comparative analysis.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
How does population growth impact studies?
Population growth can affect the relevance and accuracy of research findings over time.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
What is population in the context of a country?
In a country, the population refers to the total number of people residing within its borders.
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Jan 15, 2024
What is the importance of population studies in public policy?
Population studies inform public policy decisions by providing data on the needs and characteristics of the population.
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Jan 15, 2024
What is stratified sampling in relation to a population?
Stratified sampling involves dividing a population into subgroups and selecting samples from each subgroup.
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Jan 15, 2024
What role do statistics play in understanding populations and samples?
Statistics are crucial in analyzing and interpreting data from populations and samples, helping to draw meaningful conclusions.
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Jan 15, 2024
How do demographics affect the understanding of a population?
Demographics provide detailed insights into the characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, and ethnicity.
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Jan 15, 2024
Can a small sample be effective in research?
A small sample can be effective if it is carefully selected and represents the population accurately.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
How does the diversity of a population affect research?
The diversity of a population affects research outcomes by introducing a range of variables and characteristics to study.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Can the concept of population be applied to animals?
Yes, in biology, a population refers to a group of the same species living in a specific area.
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Jan 15, 2024
Why is it sometimes better to use a sample instead of a whole population?
Using a sample is often more feasible, cost-effective, and timely than studying an entire population.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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