satunnaisotosmenetelmä

Satunnaisotosmenetelmä, also known as simple random sampling, is a statistical method used to select a subset of individuals or items from a larger population in such a way that every member of the population has an equal and independent chance of being chosen. This equal probability is the defining characteristic of random sampling. The purpose of employing a random sampling method is to obtain a sample that is representative of the entire population, allowing researchers to make valid inferences about the population based on the characteristics observed in the sample.

The process typically involves assigning a unique number to each member of the population. Then, a random number generator or a similar mechanism is used to select numbers, and the individuals corresponding to those numbers are included in the sample. This ensures that the selection process is unbiased and free from systematic errors that could arise from subjective choices. Different variations of random sampling exist, such as systematic sampling and stratified sampling, but simple random sampling remains the foundational technique upon which many others are built. It is widely used in surveys, opinion polls, and experimental research across various fields.