Definition The number of observations or people included in an analysis or experiment.
Example Twenty survey responses usually provide less precise estimates than 2,000 comparable responses.
See how it works Small sample 20 responses
Larger sample 2,000 responses
More comparable observations generally reduce random sampling uncertainty, but they cannot repair a biased selection process.
Check your understanding Common mistake: A large but unrepresentative sample can still give a misleading result.
Does a larger sample eliminate selection bias?
Show explanation No. Sample size affects precision; representativeness depends on how observations were selected.
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Why it matters Too small a sample can lead to unreliable conclusions.
Where it is used Survey design, A/B tests and research plans.
