POL SCI 3 Chapter 7: Textbook Reading Ch. 7
Document Summary
Population: any well-defined set of units of analysis. Sample: any subset of units collected in some manner from a population. Population parameter: social scientists are interested mainly in certain characteristics of populations, such as averages, differences between groups, and relationships among variables. Estimator: a sample statistic based on sample observations that estimates the numerical value of a population characteristic, or parameter. Element: a single occurrence, realization, or instance of the objects or entities being studied, frequently called a unit of analysis. Stratum: a subgroup of a population that shares one or more characteristics. Sampling unit: an entity listed in a sample frame, in simple cases, the sampling unit is the same as an element, in more complicated sampling designs, it may be a collection of elements. Probability sample: a sample for which each element in the total population has a known probability of being included in the sample.
