sample
Also known as statistical sample, data sample, observed data, observed sample
set of data collected and/or selected from a statistical population by a defined procedure
Article
A visual representation of the sampling process
In statistics, quality assurance, and survey methodology, sampling is the selection of a subset of individuals from within a statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole population. The subset, called a statistical sample (or sample, for short), is meant to reflect the whole population, and statisticians attempt to collect samples that are representative of the population.