Abstract
Generating a random sample from a population is important to minimize the bias of sample estimates in describing the population parameters. Despite the benefits of random sampling for generating appropriate inference, clinical research often relies instead on samples of convenience. Baseline characteristics and study inclusion and exclusion criteria can help identify the study population from which the sample was drawn. It is important to understand the factors that differ between the study sample and the larger population and the potential impact these differences may have on the conclusions of the study and how appropriate it is to apply study results to the larger population.
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Zink, R.C. (2012). Sampling Methodology: Implications for Drawing Conclusions from Clinical Research Findings. In: Supino, P., Borer, J. (eds) Principles of Research Methodology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3360-6_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3360-6_10
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