SOC222H5 Lecture Notes - Sampling Distribution, Statistical Inference, Frequency Distribution
Document Summary
Population is a group that includes all the cases in which the researcher is interested in making generalizations about. Sample is a relatively small subset selected from a population. We use measures to describe both of these: Parameter is used to describe the population (usually denoted with greek letters) Statistic is used to describe the sample distribution. The main difference is that we usually know the values of statistics (sample) but almost never know the values of parameters (population) Probability sampling is the method that enables the researcher to specify for each case in the population the probability of being selected for the sample. Only probability sampling allows us to use inferential statistics. Designed to ensure that every member has an equal chance of being chosen. Use a random number table in selecting members for the sample. Remember, it"s the highest value in the population that determines the number of digits in the random number table, not the sample size.
