Find the best solutions to your questions at Westonci.ca, the premier Q&A platform with a community of knowledgeable experts. Discover comprehensive solutions to your questions from a wide network of experts on our user-friendly platform. Join our Q&A platform to connect with experts dedicated to providing accurate answers to your questions in various fields.

Decide whether the statement below makes sense or does not make sense. Explain.

"In my statistical study, I used a sample that was larger than the population."

A. No, the statement does not make sense. The sample size should always equal the population size.
B. Yes, the statement makes sense. A sample can be as large as desired.
C. Yes, the statement makes sense. A sample is always larger than the population.
D. No, the statement does not make sense. A sample is a subset of the population and cannot be larger than the population.


Sagot :

To address the statement, "In my statistical study, I used a sample that was larger than the population," we need to understand the relationship between a population and a sample in statistics.

1. Population: This refers to the complete set of items or individuals that we are interested in studying. For instance, if a researcher is studying the heights of all high school students in a particular school, the population would be every high school student in that school.

2. Sample: A sample is a subset of the population. This means it is a smaller group selected from the population. For example, if the researcher selects 100 students from the school to measure their heights, those 100 students form the sample.

There are a few fundamental principles concerning populations and samples:

- A sample cannot exceed the size of the population, because by definition, a sample is a part of something larger. It is derived from the population.
- Hence, a sample being larger than the population is a logical impossibility.

Now, let’s examine each answer choice:

- A. No, the statement does not make sense. The sample size should always equal the population size.
- This is incorrect. The sample size does not have to equal the population size. The sample is typically smaller than the population.

- B. Yes, the statement makes sense. A sample can be as large as desired.
- This is incorrect. While you can choose how large you want your sample to be, it still cannot be larger than the population from which it is drawn.

- C. Yes, the statement makes sense. A sample is always larger than the population.
- This is incorrect. A sample cannot be larger than the population; it is a subset of the population.

- D. No, the statement does not make sense. A sample is a subset of the population and cannot be larger than the population.
- This is correct. Since a sample is a part of the population, it logically follows that it cannot exceed the size of the population.

Thus, the correct answer is:

D. No, the statement does not make sense. A sample is a subset of the population and cannot be larger than the population.

This answer provides a thorough explanation consistent with the principles of statistics, affirming that a sample drawn from a population must be smaller or at most equal to the size of the population.
Your visit means a lot to us. Don't hesitate to return for more reliable answers to any questions you may have. Thanks for using our platform. We aim to provide accurate and up-to-date answers to all your queries. Come back soon. Get the answers you need at Westonci.ca. Stay informed by returning for our latest expert advice.