sampling methods

Political polls provide crucial information during elections. When done correctly, small samples can predict the outcomes. We’re approaching election time here in the U.S., and campaigns are switching into high gear along with political polls!

You’d think that conducting a poll is straightforward. You ask a bunch of people who they’ll vote for and count the results, right? But it’s not quite that simple.

For starters, political polls face the same challenges as other polls. However, a poll taken for political reasons also has some unique issues. When pollsters do everything correctly, the small, sampled group accurately reflects the entire population. The trick is to do it correctly!

In this post, learn how statistical concepts apply to political polls and the extra difficulties they face. [Read more…] about Political Polls and Their Challenges

What is Survivorship Bias?

Survivorship bias, or survivor bias, occurs when you tend to assess successful outcomes and disregard failures. This sampling bias paints a rosier picture of reality than is warranted by skewing the mean results upward. [Read more…] about Survivorship Bias: Definition, Examples & Avoiding

What is Purposive Sampling?

Purposive sampling is a non-probability method for obtaining a sample where researchers use their expertise to choose specific participants that will help the study meet its goals. These subjects have particular characteristics that the researchers need to evaluate their research question. In other words, the researchers pick the participants “on purpose.” [Read more…] about Purposive Sampling: Definition & Examples