A representative sample is a subset of a population that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger group. It should mirror the diversity and key attributes (like age, gender, income level, etc.) of the population from which it is drawn, allowing for generalizations about the population based on the sample's findings.
Key characteristics of a representative sample include:
- Diversity: It includes individuals from various subgroups within the population.
- Proportionality: The sample reflects the proportions of various characteristics in the population.
- Random Selection: Ideally, individuals are selected randomly to minimize bias.
- Size: The sample size should be sufficient to draw reliable conclusions.
If you have specific options to choose from, please provide them, and I can help identify which one accurately describes a representative sample.