What is the definition of a sample of population?

A sample of a population refers to a subset of the population that is selected to represent the larger group, which allows for analysis and inference about the entire population without needing to study every individual element. This process is essential in various fields, including statistics and property assessment, as it enables professionals to draw conclusions about trends or characteristics from a manageable number of observations.

The term "subset" is pivotal because it indicates that the sample is composed of a portion of the entire population, yet it should ideally reflect the diversity and variety present in the full group. By focusing on a smaller selection, assessors can efficiently gather data and conduct evaluations that are statistically significant.

In contrast, while certain choices may describe aspects of a population, they do not accurately encapsulate the concept of a sample. The notion of an entire property set refers to every item in the population and does not imply selection. A random selection of properties could describe a method of sampling but does not define what a sample is, while an outlier pertains to values significantly different from others in the set, which is not related to the definition of a sample itself. Therefore, recognizing that a sample is fundamentally a subset helps to clarify the broader concept surrounding populations and their analyses.