Random Variation

Definition

Random variation refers to the natural variability or differences that occur in a set of data due to chance. It is the result of factors that are not controlled or accounted for in an experiment or study.

Related terms

Sampling Error: Sampling error occurs when the sample selected for a study does not perfectly represent the entire population, leading to random variation between sample results and population parameters.

Standard Deviation: Standard deviation measures how spread out or dispersed data points are from their mean value, providing a measure of random variation within a dataset.

Confidence Interval: A confidence interval is an estimate of an unknown parameter (such as a population mean) along with an indication of how accurate that estimate is, taking into account random variation.