What is Statistical Sampling?
Statistical sampling refers to the study of populations by gathering information about and analyzing it. Statistical sampling is the base for a great deal of information, ranging from estimates of average height in a nation to studies on the impact of marketing to children. Numerous professions use statistical sampling, including psychology, demography, and anthropology. Like any study method, however, statistical sampling is prone to errors, and it is important to analyze the methods used to conduct a study before accepting the results. This process begins with a definition of the population the scientist wants to study, and the variable which he or she wants to measure. For example, someone might want to know the average weight of elementary school children. Next, the scientist decides how to collect the desired data. In the previous example, the scientist might travel to schools with a scale, send questionnaires out to doctors or parents, or try to access school health records. Many
