What is a Random Sample?
- Home
- Poll & Survey FAQs
- What is a Random Sample?
Sampling is based on probability theory --in its broadest sense, if
we can choose respondents randomly and appropriately from the larger
population, the results from that random sample will be very close to
what we would get by interviewing every member of the the
population.
(NOTE: The following information on sampling was developed by AAPOR as
part of a comprehensive online journalism polling course
created in partnership with NewsU, a project of the Poynter Institute and funded
by the Knight Foundation. The course launched September 2007.)
Additional Resources
- A Guide to Sample Size and Margin of Error -- Public Agenda
- "How Poll Sampling Works" - Online Journalism Review
- Sample Size Calculator
- CBS News Polling Director on Sampling
Back to top