Sampling Errors in Statistics: Definition, Types, and Ca... about:reader?url=[Link]

[Link]

Sampling Errors in Statistics:

Definition, Types, and Calculation
Full Bio

10–12 minutes

What Is a Sampling Error?

Sampling is an analysis performed by selecting several

observations from a larger population. The method of selection
can produce both sampling errors and non-sampling errors. A
sampling error is a deviation between the sampled value and the
true population value.

Key Takeaways

• Even randomized samples will have some degree of sampling

error because a sample is only an approximation of the
population from which it is drawn.

• The prevalence of sampling errors can be reduced by increasing

the sample size.

• In general, sampling errors can be placed into four categories:

population-specific error, selection error, sample frame error, or
nonresponse error.

Understanding Sampling Errors

1 of 8
A sampling error is a deviation in the sampled value vs. the true 11/07/2025, 21:39
Sampling Errors in Statistics: Definition, Types, and Ca... about:reader?url=[Link]

population value. Sampling errors occur because the sample is

not representative of the population or is biased in some way.
Even randomized samples will have some degree of sampling
error because a sample is only an approximation of the
population from which it is drawn.

Calculating a Sampling Error

The sampling error formula is used to calculate the overall

sampling error in statistical analysis. The sampling error is
calculated by dividing the standard deviation of the population by
the square root of the size of the sample and then multiplying the
resultant with the Z-score value, which is based on the confidence
interval.

Sampling Error = 𝑍 × 𝜎
√𝑛
where:
𝑍 = 𝑍 score value based on the
confidence interval (approx = 1.96)
𝜎 = Population standard deviation
𝑛 = Size of the sample

Types of Sampling Errors

There are different categories of sampling errors.

Population-specific error

A population-specific error occurs when a researcher doesn’t

understand who to survey.

Selection error

Selection error occurs when the survey is self-selected, or when

2 of 8 11/07/2025, 21:39
Sampling Errors in Statistics: Definition, Types, and Ca... about:reader?url=[Link]

only those participants who are interested in the survey respond

to the questions. Researchers can attempt to overcome selection
errors by finding ways to encourage participation.

Sample frame error

A sample frame error occurs when a sample is selected from the

wrong population data.

Nonresponse error

A nonresponse error occurs when a useful response is not

obtained from the surveys because researchers were unable to
contact potential respondents (or potential respondents refused
to respond).

Eliminating Sampling Errors

The prevalence of sampling errors can be reduced by increasing

the sample size. As the sample size increases, the sample gets
closer to the actual population, which decreases the potential for
deviations from the actual population.

Consider that the average of a sample of 10 varies more than the

average of a sample of 100. Steps can also be taken to ensure that
the sample adequately represents the entire population.

Researchers might attempt to reduce sampling errors by

replicating their study. This could be accomplished by taking the
same measurements repeatedly, using more than one subject or
multiple groups, or undertaking multiple studies.

Random sampling is an additional way to minimize the

occurrence of sampling errors. Random sampling establishes a
systematic approach to selecting a sample. For example, rather
3 of 8 than choosing participants to be interviewed haphazardly, a 11/07/2025, 21:39
Sampling Errors in Statistics: Definition, Types, and Ca... about:reader?url=[Link]

researcher might choose those whose names appear first, 10th,

20th, 30th, 40th, and so on, on the list.

Fast Fact

One way to reduce the likelihood of sampling error is to use a

larger sample size. The Monthly Employment Situation report,
compiled each month by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is
calculated from a survey of 119,000 businesses and government
agencies. Due to the enormous sample size, these surveys have
an extremely low rate of sampling error.1

How Do Sampling Errors Apply to Real Life?

Sampling is often used by businesses and governments and in

finance. It is relied on to make critical decisions and is particularly
common in economic research.

Sampling helps companies predict customer behavior, estimate

future demand, and set prices. It also helps financial institutions
detect fraud by auditing transactions.

Sampling errors can affect the validity of their research findings

and the quality of their data. They also won’t be as confident in
their decision-making.

Examples of Sampling Errors

Assume that XYZ Company provides a subscription-based service

that allows consumers to pay a monthly fee to stream videos and
other types of programming via an internet connection.

The firm wants to survey homeowners who watch at least 10

hours of programming via the internet per week and who pay for
an existing video streaming service. XYZ wants to determine what
4 of 8 11/07/2025, 21:39
Sampling Errors in Statistics: Definition, Types, and Ca... about:reader?url=[Link]

percentage of the population is interested in a lower-priced

subscription service. If XYZ does not think carefully about the
sampling process, several types of sampling errors may occur.

A population specification error would occur if XYZ Company

does not understand the specific types of consumers who should
be included in the sample. For example, if XYZ creates a
population of people ages 15 to 25, many of those consumers do
not make the purchasing decision about a video streaming
service because they may not work full-time. On the other hand, if
XYZ put together a sample of working adults who make purchase
decisions, the consumers in this group may not watch 10 hours of
video programming each week.

Selection error also causes distortions in the results of a sample. A

common example is a survey that only relies on a small portion of
people who immediately respond. If XYZ makes an effort to follow
up with consumers who don’t initially respond, the results of the
survey may change. Furthermore, if XYZ excludes consumers who
don’t respond right away, the sample results may not reflect the
preferences of the entire population.

Sampling Error vs. Non-Sampling Error

Different types of errors can occur when gathering statistical

data. Sampling errors are the seemingly random differences
between the characteristics of a sample population and those of
the general population. Sampling errors arise because sample
sizes are inevitably limited. (It is impossible to sample an entire
population in a survey or a census.)

Important

A sampling error can result even when no mistakes of any kind

5 of 8 11/07/2025, 21:39
Sampling Errors in Statistics: Definition, Types, and Ca... about:reader?url=[Link]

are made; sampling errors occur because no sample will ever

perfectly match the data in the universe from which the sample is
taken.

XYZ Company will also want to avoid non-sampling errors. These

are errors that result during data collection and cause the data to
differ from the true values. Non-sampling errors are caused by
human error, such as a mistake made in the survey process.

If one group of consumers only watches five hours of video

programming a week and is included in the survey, that decision
is a non-sampling error. Asking biased questions is another type
of error.

What Is Sampling Error vs. Sampling Bias?

In statistics, sampling means selecting the group that you will

collect data from in your research.

Sampling errors are statistical errors that arise when

a sample does not represent the whole population once analyses
have been undertaken.

Sampling bias is the expectation, which is known in advance, that

a sample won’t be representative of the true population—for
instance, if the sample ends up having proportionally more
women or young people than the overall population.

Why Is Sampling Error Important?

Being aware of the presence of sampling errors is important

because it can be an indicator of the level of confidence that can
be placed in the results. Sampling error is also important in the
context of a discussion about how much research results can
vary.
6 of 8 11/07/2025, 21:39
Sampling Errors in Statistics: Definition, Types, and Ca... about:reader?url=[Link]

How Do You Find the Sampling Error?

In survey research, sampling errors occur because all samples are

representative samples: a smaller group that stands in for the
whole of your research population. It’s impossible to survey the
entire group of people you’d like to reach.

It’s not usually possible to quantify the degree of sampling error

in a study, since it’s impossible to collect the relevant data from
the entire population you are studying. This is why researchers
collect representative samples (and representative samples are
the reason why there are sampling errors).

What Is Sampling Error vs. Standard Error?

Sampling error is derived from the standard error (SE) by

multiplying it by a Z-score value to produce a confidence interval.

The standard error is computed by dividing the standard

deviation by the square root of the sample size.

The Bottom Line

Sampling error occurs when a sample drawn from a population

deviates somewhat from that true population. Large sampling
errors can lead to incorrect estimates or inferences made about
the population based on statistical analysis of that sample.

In general, sampling errors can be placed into four categories:

population-specific error, selection error, sample frame error, or
nonresponse error. A population-specific error occurs when the
researcher does not understand who they should survey. A
selection error occurs when respondents self-select their
participation in the study. (This results in only those who are
interested in responding, which skews the results.) A sample
7 of 8 11/07/2025, 21:39
Sampling Errors in Statistics: Definition, Types, and Ca... about:reader?url=[Link]

frame error occurs when the wrong subpopulation is used to

select a sample. Finally, a nonresponse error occurs when
potential respondents are not successfully contacted or refuse to
respond.

Trade around the clock

Did you know that 82% of Nvidia’s gains between March 2024 and
February 2025 happened outside of regular Nasdaq hours?*
Pepperstone offers CFDs on 100+ US shares 24 hours a day,
meaning you never need to miss out when the markets move.
Join now for super-fast execution backed by dedicated support.
74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money *Data from the
Pepperstone platform.

8 of 8 11/07/2025, 21:39