A population is a defined group of people or objects, while a sample is a smaller subset of a population. When you have access to an entire population, you can use statistics to directly describe characteristics of that population. However, when only a sample is available, you can use statistics to describe the sample and then infer that the population has similar characteristics.

1. A population is everyone in a defined group (e.g., 350
million American or all female real-estate lawyers in Las
Vegas). If you have access to the entire population you use
statistics to DESCRIBE what is happening with that group.
A sample is a smaller representative group from a
population. When you describe what is happening with that
group you then INFER that that is happening with the entire
population.
Central Tendency, Spread, or Symmetry?
Sample of
100
Americans
Population of 350 million
Americans
Population of 350 million
Americans
Describe
Describe