Population vs Sample Statistics Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
A researcher wants to know the average height of all 16-year-olds in the UK. She measures 500 randomly selected 16-year-olds. Identify the population and sample.

Solution

  1. 1
    Step 1: The population is all 16-year-olds in the UK — this is the entire group of interest.
  2. 2
    Step 2: The sample is the 500 randomly selected 16-year-olds — this is the subset actually measured.
  3. 3
    Step 3: The sample average (statistic) is used to estimate the population average (parameter).

Answer

Population: all UK 16-year-olds. Sample: the 500 selected students.
We use samples because it is usually impractical to measure every member of a population. Random sampling helps ensure the sample is representative.

About Population vs Sample

In statistics, the population is the entire group of individuals or items you want to study, while the sample is the smaller subset you actually collect data from. We use sample statistics to estimate unknown population parameters.

Learn more about Population vs Sample →

More Population vs Sample Examples

Example 2 medium

Distinguish between a parameter and a statistic. Give an example of each.

Example 3 easy

A factory produces 10,000 light bulbs per day. Quality control tests 100 randomly chosen bulbs. Iden

Example 4 easy

A website wants to know the average time spent on the site by all visitors. It studies 1,200 randoml

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