What is a Population?
A population in research is the set of groups of people from which you are going to draw your statistical data. How can we define a sample population? This is the way of getting samples so we can have accurate data from a large population. The sample is a subset of a population and through a subset sample population, you can arrive at a conclusion. Any population in research examples can prove to be vital for any research. The population parameter definition has the scope of all the respondents that you are going to use for your study.
Sample population parameter statistics are needed in any study. To calculate the population, you may need the sample population formula and sample population calculator. The population consists of the data pool of your study. It is something that you should know how to utilize as it is an important factor in any data analysis report, questionnaire analysis report, or survey analysis report. To define simply, the population refers to a group of individuals living in a particular area. It is the respondents of your study of interest. Without a certain population, any research will not be possible.
Types of Population
To draw the right conclusions, we use populations. The exact population depends on the market research scope of work. But for you to collect better data, you must at least know the types of population. This can make your work easier in making a sample population. The following are the types of population:
Finite Population: When a population occupies a certain area, it is a finite population. It has boundaries that make it unique from other types of populations. So, certain criteria are given to identify a finite population. Some of the examples are the population of males in the class, the population of ducks in one cage, and the population of C-class students. You can see that the finite population does not refer only to people but also to objects. It can also include the characteristics and properties of a subject. You can also relate to the population in terms of quantity. So, things that can be categorized for organizational climate, leadership, and work discipline can also be a finite population. Even properties about work procedures and policies can also be included. In a finite population, a population can be one person. It is because it can have many characteristics. So, everything that can be easily counted belongs to the finite population.Infinite Population: When there are no boundaries, it is considered an infinite population. This is something that you cannot measure. This is applicable to a market report or a market research report with a very large population. The number of respondents will seem to be infinite so you are just going to use a sample population. When a number of individuals in a particular territory cannot be counted, you should use sampling methods so you can have an analysis for your study. Through a sample population, you can conduct research with a target population that is so large. It makes everything possible. Some utmost examples of infinite populations are the red blood cells in the body of a person and the number of stars. There are many instances where the population is infinite. With this, you ought to get the right samples.Existent Population: When the population is concrete, it is an existent population. This is applied where the units are in solid form. Some examples are books and students. So, when doing a product report or a social media report, it is easier to use the existent population. With this, it will be easier for you to have your observations. Making recommendations will be easier for you, too.Hypothetical Population: We can never take out the population in our research checklist. Another type of population is the hypothetical population. Units of this type are not available in solid form. This can be a set of observations with common characteristics. Some examples are the population from tossing a coin and the population from rolling dice. So, everything can depend on chance.
Benefits of Collecting Samples from a Population
When we use a sample population, everything in our research becomes convenient. We can gather intensive and exhaustive information. This is suitable for any research with limited resources. Not only these, but a sample population has many benefits. They are the following:
Cost-Effective: There is no way you can get data from a large population. Your only resort is to get a sample population. This is something that you should include in your research paper checklist. With sampling, you can make everything possible. Sampling techniques are something that you can do without spending much money. The process is so cost-effective. You simply have to get samples from the population. After that, you can come to a conclusion that is accurate. This is advisable for any case study where you do not have a lot of budgets. So, even if you are a student, you can accomplish your project.Less Time Consuming: There will be no way that you can survey respondents from a very large population. The only choice you have is to choose samples for that population. Considering that it can be possible for you to get data from a large population, it can take you a lifetime to finish your work. This is not advisable in any research. No one will waste their time on a very tedious project that seems to be meaningless. The only solution is to gather samples that will represent the population. When you do this, you can save a lot of time. Using samples is not time-consuming. You can be sure that you will still have other time left for your other tasks. So, if you want to save time, use samples in any pre-feasibility report or data report.Good Scope: The scope of samples is high. Generalization of data cannot be avoided if we are going to use a very large population. Getting data from the whole population is also impractical. By using samples, we know that we are going to get data from representatives. This way, we can assess our observations and we can make the right recommendations. If the population is large, we cannot measure the characteristics. But if we are going to choose samples, we can have something to measure. Generalizations in sampling are relatively good so we can ensure that our data will be accurate.Data Accuracy: With the sample population, you can have accurate data. This is because it will be easier for you to analyze data using the representatives of the population. When the data is large, you can make some mistakes. But by using samples, you can have a more accurate assessment. There is not so much that you have to deal with when you are doing data processing. There is little room for mistakes. A high quality of accuracy is possible because the operations are not so many. You can also have a better chance to be careful. You know that there is not so much on your plate so you do not have to be in a hurry. Because of this, you can avoid mistakes.Being Organized: Using samples can be a part of a good organizational strategic plan. You know that everyone can be organized in their work when they are using samples. It may be a whole bunch of work to gather data for a large population. But by using samples, you can have a little work where you will have the chance to be organized. You can handle everything one by one so you can be sure of the results. Vast facilities are not needed when you are going to use a sample population. There will be a few organizational problems. Everyone can work well knowing the job is easier. With respect to your resources, everything is economical. Thus, your organization will not experience any problems when using samples to represent a population. You can get results in an organized manner.
How to Collect Data from a Population
Population data is needed so that you can have the required information. But how are you going to collect data from a population? The following are the things that you can do:
1. Choose a Population
First, you need to choose a sample population. You can do this by using samples that will be representatives of a population. In choosing a sample population, you can consider first a sampling method that you can use.
2. Make a Data Analysis Plan
After choosing a sampling method, you should make a data analysis plan. This is something that can enable you to assess the observations in your research. To have a perfect analysis, be sure that the data that you have gathered are accurate.
3. Make Good Questions
For you to collect the right outcome for your study, you must be able to ask the right questions for your research. Through this, you can collect the right answers that will be truly meaningful to your research.
4. Use Sampling Distribution
After that, you should assess how you are going to distribute data. Use sampling distribution so that you can have the right probability. Just be sure that you are being accurate in the data process.
FAQs
Why is it important to get samples from a population?
It is important to get samples from the population because it is impossible for us to gather data from the entire population. That is why we need sampling.
What are the disadvantages of getting samples?
The disadvantages of getting samples are the possibility of bias, having difficulties in getting a sample, and the lack of knowledge of the topic.
Without the samples from the population, we will have impossible work that can be tedious and expensive. Sampling is done to provide convenience to any researchers. With representatives from the population, our work will be easier. This also means that our work will have high accuracy. Check out the PDF documents in this article. They can teach you a lot about the population.
