Sampling and Sampling Distributions

Abstract

The issue of sampling from an underlying population is considered more formally, with the distinction being drawn between deductive and inductive statistical reasoning. To allow the ideas of statistical inference to be analysed, the concept of a simple random sample is introduced, along with the related ideas of accuracy and precision. The sampling distribution of the mean from a normal population is developed and the result extended, through the central limit theorem, to non-normal populations. The sampling distribution of the variance is then considered.