Representatiivinen

Representatiivinen is a Finnish adjective that translates to "representative" in English. It describes something that stands for, exemplifies, or is typical of a larger group, class, or set. The term is commonly used in various contexts, including statistics, politics, and general description.

In statistics, a representatiivinen sample is one that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population from which it was drawn. This ensures that conclusions drawn from the sample are likely to be valid for the entire population. For example, a representatiivinen survey would include individuals from all relevant demographic groups in proportion to their presence in the overall population.

In politics, a representatiivinen government is a system where elected officials act on behalf of their constituents. These representatives are chosen to voice the interests and opinions of the people they serve in legislative bodies. The concept is central to democracies, where power is derived from the consent of the governed.

Beyond these specific fields, "representatiivinen" can be used more broadly to describe anything that serves as a good example or model. A representatiivinen building might showcase the architectural style of a particular era, or a representatiivinen artwork could embody a specific artistic movement. The core idea remains that of standing for or embodying something larger.