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Multilingual Demographic Dictionary, second unified edition, English volume

Representative sample

Multilingual Demographic Dictionary, second unified edition, English vol.
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Representative sample  (REPRESENTATIVE sample)


In probability sampling (161-1), chance methods are used to obtain a representative sample 1 i.e., a sample which is a faithful reflection of the population with respect to all the characteristics under investigation except for random fluctuation. In quota sampling 2, on the other hand, the sample is purposely selected so as to reflect the population in certain characteristics, and each interviewer (204-2) is given a quota 3 of different types of sampling units which are to be included in his/her sample. Within the limits of the quota the interviewer is free to select the sampling units. More...