Population vs Sample: Definition and Differences

Written By The IoT Academy
Published on November 27th, 2023
Updated on November 28, 2023

Comparing population vs sample, think of a sample as a small part chosen from a bigger group, the population. We study this chosen sample to make smart guesses about the whole population. Knowing about both samples and populations is super important for getting numbers right in data analysis. It helps data scientists make good choices by looking at a smaller group that truly represents the larger dataset, making sure their findings and conclusions are reliable.

Table of Contents

Definition of Sample In Data Science

A sample is a small group of data taken from a big group called the population. It’s like taking a few candies from a whole bag. Scientists study this small group to figure out things about all the candies. This way, they can understand patterns without looking at every single candy, making it easier to make decisions based on the whole bunch.

Uses of Sample:

For comparison in Population vs Sample, samples are super important for different jobs:

Representative Insights
Cost and Time Efficiency
Hypothesis Testing
Model Training and Validation
Risk Reduction
Predictive Analytics
Statistical Inference
A|B Testing

In short, samples are really useful in data science, giving practical insights into big populations while considering time, cost, and resources.

Definition of Population In Data Science

A population is the whole bunch of things we want to study. It includes everyone or everything that fits our criteria. We look at a smaller group called a sample to learn about the whole population. This is the difference between population data vs sample data. Getting the population right is super important in data science because it helps us make accurate conclusions based on the smaller group we study.

Uses of Population:

For comparison in Population vs Sample, populations are super important for different things:

Ground Truth Analysis
Parameter Estimation
Census Data Analysis
Accuracy of Statistical Inference
Policy and Decision Making
Small Population Analysis
Quality Control
Rare Event Analysis

Simply put, in data science, populations give us the whole story, making analysis, predictions, and important decisions much better, especially when we study the entire group.

Distinguish Between Population and Sample

Population and sample are concepts used to describe groups of individuals or observations. In statistics, when we want to understand a whole group of things (like people, items, or events), we call that the “population.” However, it’s often not practical to study every single thing in that group. So, we pick a smaller bunch from the population, which we call the “sample.”

Now, here’s the important part: we use this smaller sample to try and figure out things about the entire population. If the sample is a good representation of the population, then the conclusions we draw from studying it can apply to the whole group. But if our sample isn’t a good match for the whole group, our conclusions might be wrong or unfair. So, picking the right sample is crucial to getting accurate results for the whole population.

Population vs Sample Examples

Let’s consider an example to understand the differentiation of population and sample:

Population Example:

Imagine you want to know the average height of all students in a particular school. The population, in this case, would be every student in that school, every single individual you are interested in.

Sample Example:

Measuring the height of every student in a school is hard. So, you might pick a smaller group, like 100 students, and measure their heights. This smaller group is your sample. The goal is to learn about the average height of all students in the school by studying this smaller group.

In summary, the population includes everyone you’re interested in studying, while the sample is a subset of that population that you actually observe or measure due to practical constraints.

Sample vs Population Statistics In Data Science

In DS, understanding the difference between sample and population statistics is crucial for drawing accurate conclusions from data.

Population Statistics in Data Science: Population statistics are like numbers or facts that give us information about everyone in a group we’re looking at. For example, if we check data for all customers in a company and find the average or standard deviation of things (like what they buy), those are population statistics. They help us understand what the whole group is like.
Sample Statistics in Data Science: Since it’s tough to study everyone, data scientists often check out a smaller group called a sample. They chose this group to stand for the bigger group. The numbers or details they find out from studying this smaller group like the average amount spent by 500 randomly picked customers, are called sample statistics. These details help make guesses about the larger group.

In DS, the tricky part is making good guesses about everyone by looking at a smaller group that stands for them. How well we choose and study this smaller group decides how right our guesses are about everyone. To enhance data science skills and make informed conclusions, consider enrolling in a data science certification course for practical knowledge and expertise.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, Knowing the difference between population and sample (Population vs Sample), and the statistics in data science, is really important for getting predictions right. The whole group is the population, and researchers use smaller parts, called samples. For instance, measuring the height of all students in a school shows this difference. Understanding and defining populations well affects how trustworthy conclusions are from smaller samples. This helps data scientists make smart choices by looking at smaller groups that still give accurate information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a sample in statistics?

Ans. In data science statistics, researchers pick a small group of data from a larger set for study. It’s like a manageable piece that helps draw conclusions about the whole group. Data scientists use this smaller sample to make predictions about the larger group, making data analysis more practical and efficient.

Q. What are 2 examples of population?

Ans. All Customers of an Online Store:
1. Everybody who ever bought something from the online store.
2. Example: Looking at all the customers to figure out how they shop, what they like, or where they’re from.

All Students in a University:
Every student who has ever been in the university.
Example: Checking all students to see how well they usually do in their classes, how many graduate, or any patterns in their academic performance.

About The Author:

The IoT Academy

The IoT Academy as a reputed ed-tech training institute is imparting online / Offline training in emerging technologies such as Data Science, Machine Learning, IoT, Deep Learning, and more. We believe in making revolutionary attempt in changing the course of making online education accessible and dynamic.