Sample

Definition

In the context of political science, a sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population, selected to represent the opinions or behaviors of the entire group in studies of political participation and public opinion. This method allows researchers to infer the general attitudes or expected behaviors of a population without surveying every member.

Related terms

Population: The entire group of individuals or entities that is the subject of statistical analysis in a given study, from which samples are drawn.

Survey: A research method used for collecting data from respondents through structured questionnaires or interviews to understand their opinions or behaviors.

Margin of Error: An indicator of the expected accuracy of the results derived from samples, reflecting how much sample results might differ from those of the actual population