Why is it necessary to study a sample of individuals that is representative of a larger population?
A) because a sample gives better statistical strength than a population, and this allows a research to "confirm" any hypothesis (s)he has made
B) because there are ethical restrictions against gathering data from a population, but not a sample.
C) because a population will include too many people who would be unwilling to answer questions honestly.
D) because it would be impractical, perhaps even impossible, to attempt to gather data from an entire population of individuals.

Question

Why is it necessary to study a sample of individuals that is representative of a larger population?
A) ​because a sample gives better statistical strength than a population, and this allows a research to "confirm" any hypothesis (s)he has made
B) ​because there are ethical restrictions against gathering data from a population, but not a sample.
C) ​because a population will include too many people who would be unwilling to answer questions honestly.
D) ​because it would be impractical, perhaps even impossible, to attempt to gather data from an entire population of individuals.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gathering data from an entire population is often not practical or possible, therefore a study of a representative sample can provide insights into the population as a whole.

Why Is It Necessary to Study a Sample of Individuals