Ch. 3
4 of 1 ·Sample Size Matters
Chapter 3 · Patterns Can Fool You
Lesson 4 · Patterns and Exceptions
Sample Size Matters
Avoid treating a tiny sample as the whole picture.
Easy~25 minFree preview
Concept
A few examples can be unrepresentative
A sample is the part we observe; the population is the larger group we want to understand. Small or badly chosen samples can create patterns that disappear when more varied cases are included.
Example
The three-person survey
Click to zoomIllustration supporting The three-person surveyThree close friends prefer the same game. That describes those friends, not every student in the school. A larger sample across classes and interests supports a broader conclusion.