Representativeness - what is this process? Representation error

The concept of representativeness is often found in statistical reports and in the preparation of speeches and reports. Perhaps, without it it is difficult to imagine any of the types of information provided for viewing.

Representativeness - what is it?

Representativeness reflects how selected objects or parts correspond to the content and meaning of the aggregate of data from which they were selected.

Other definitions

The concept of representativeness can be disclosed in different contexts. But in terms of its meaning, representativeness is the correspondence of features and properties of selected units from the total population, which accurately reflect the characteristics of the entire general database as a whole.

Also, the representativeness of information is defined as the ability of sample data to present parameters and properties of the population that are important from the point of view of the research being conducted.

Representative sample

The principle of sampling is to select the most important and accurately reflecting properties of a common set of data. For this, various methods are used that allow obtaining accurate results and a general idea of the population using only selective materials describing the qualities of all data.

Thus, there is no need to study all the material, but it is sufficient to consider selective representativeness. What is it? This is a sample of individual data in order to have an idea of the total mass of information.

Depending on the method, they are distinguished as probabilistic and improbable. Probabilistic is a sample that is produced by calculating the most important and interesting data, which are subsequently representatives of the general population. This is a deliberate choice or random sampling, however, based on its content.

Unbelievable - this is one of the varieties of random sampling, compiled according to the principle of the usual lottery. In this case, the opinion of who makes such a sample is not taken into account. Only blind lot is used.

Probabilistic sampling

Probabilistic samples can also be divided into several types:

• One of the simplest and most understandable principles is an unrepresentative sample. For example, this method is often used in conducting social surveys. In this case, the survey participants are not selected from the crowd for any specific characteristics, and the information is obtained from the first 50 people who took part in it.
• Intentional samples differ in that they have a number of requirements and conditions for selection, but still rely on coincidental coincidence, not aiming at the achievement of good statistics.
• Sampling based on quotas is another variation of the non-probabilistic sample, which is often used to study large sets of data. A lot of conditions and norms are used for it. The objects that should correspond to them are selected. That is, using the example of a social survey, we can assume that 100 people will be interviewed, but only the opinion of a certain number of people who meet the established requirements will be taken into account when compiling the statistical report.

Probabilistic Samples

For probabilistic samples, a number of parameters are calculated, to which the objects in the sample will correspond, and among them, the facts and data that can be represented as representativeness of the sampling data can be selected in different ways. Such ways of calculating the required data can be:

• Simple random sampling. It consists that among the chosen segment by absolutely random method of a lottery the necessary quantity of the data which will be a representative sample is chosen.

• Systematic and random sampling makes it possible to compile a system for calculating the necessary data based on a randomly selected segment. Thus, if the first random number that points to the sequence number of data selected from the total population is 5, then the subsequent data to be selected can become, for example, 15, 25, 35, and so on. This example clearly explains that even random selection can be based on systematic calculations of the necessary input data.

The sample of consumers

A meaningful selection is a method that consists in considering each individual segment, and on the basis of its evaluation a population is constructed reflecting the characteristics and properties of the common database. In this way, more data is collected that meet the requirements of a representative sample. You can easily select a number of options that will not enter the total number, while not losing the quality of the selected data representing the total population. In this way, the representativeness of the results of the study is determined.

Sample size

Not the last question to be solved is the sample size for a representative representation of the general population. The size of the sample does not always depend on the number of sources in the population. However, the representativeness of the sample population directly depends on how many segments the result should be eventually divided into. The more such segments, the more data gets into the productive sample. If the results require a general notation and do not require specificity, then, accordingly, the sample becomes smaller, since without going into details, the information is presented more superficially, which means that its reading will be general.

The concept of the error of representativeness

The error of representativeness is the specific discrepancy between the characteristics of the general population and the sample data. In carrying out any sample research, it is impossible to obtain absolutely accurate data, as with a full study of populations and a sample represented only by a part of the data and parameters, whereas a more detailed study is possible only when studying the entire population. Thus, some errors and errors are inevitable.

Types of errors

There are some errors that arise in the design of a representative sample:

• Systematic.
• Random.
• Intentional.
• Unintentional.
• Standard.
• Limiting.

The basis for the appearance of random errors may be a discontinuous nature of the study of the total population. Usually the random error of representativity is of a minor size and character.

Systematic errors occur between violations of the rules for selecting data from a common population.

The average error is the difference between the average sample values and the main population. It does not depend on the number of units in the sample. It is inversely proportional to the sample size. Then the larger the volume, the smaller the value of the mean error.

The maximum error is the greatest possible difference between the average values of the sample made and the total population. Such an error is characterized as the maximum of possible errors under given conditions for their appearance.

Intentional and unintentional errors of representativeness

Errors of data bias are intentional and unintentional.

Then the reason for the appearance of intentional errors is the approach to the selection of data using the method of determining trends. Unintentional errors occur even at the stage of preparation of selective observation, the formation of a representative sample. To avoid such errors, it is necessary to create a good basis for sampling, which is a list of selection units. It must fully comply with the purposes of sampling, be reliable, covering all aspects of the study.

Validity, reliability, representativeness. Calculation of errors

Calculation of the representativeness error (Mm) of the arithmetic mean (M).

Mean square deviation: sample size (> 30).

Representation error (Mp) and relative value (P): sample size (n> 30).

In the case when it is necessary to study a population where the sample size is small and is less than 30 units, then the number of observations will be reduced by one unit.

The magnitude of the error is directly proportional to the sample size. The representativeness of the information and the calculation of the degree of possibility of compiling an accurate prediction reflects a certain magnitude of the marginal error.

Representative systems

Not only in the process of assessing the flow of information, a representative sample is used, but the person receiving the information also uses representative systems. Thus, the brain processes a certain amount of information, creating a representative sample of the entire information flow, in order to qualitatively and quickly evaluate the data submitted and understand the essence of the issue. To answer the question: "Representativeness - what is this?" - on the scale of human consciousness is quite simple. For this, the brain uses all the subordinate sensory organs, depending on what kind of information it is necessary to isolate from the general flow. Thus, distinguish:

• Visual representational system, which involves the organs of visual perception of the eye. People who often use a similar system are called visuals. With this system, a person processes information coming in the form of images.
• Audial representative system. The main organ that is used is a rumor. The information given in the form of audio files or speech is processed by this system. People who better perceive information by ear are called audials.
• Kinesthetic representational system is the processing of information flow, by perceiving it with the help of olfactory and tactile channels.

• A digital representative system is used together with others as a means of obtaining information from outside. This is a subjective-logical perception and comprehension of the received data.

So, representativeness - what is it? A simple sampling of a set or an integral procedure in the processing of information? One can say unambiguously that representativeness in many ways determines our perception of data flows, helping to isolate the most significant and significant from it.