échantillons

Échantillons is the plural of the French term échantillon, meaning a small part or portion selected to represent a larger whole. The concept is used across disciplines to study, test, or illustrate characteristics of a larger population or material.

In statistics and research, an échantillon is a subset of a population or a specimen collected for analysis. The aim is to infer properties of the whole from the sample, which leads to the field of échantillonnage (sampling). Common methods include random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling. Key ideas are representativeness, sample size, and sampling error. Bias can arise from selection, nonresponse, or measurement errors, and must be addressed in design and analysis.

In laboratories and quality control, échantillons are specimens drawn from production processes, patients, or environments to test composition, purity, contamination, or compliance with standards. Proper labeling, preservation, and chain of custody help preserve integrity and traceability.

In market research and surveys, échantillons refer to the individuals or products selected to estimate attitudes, opinions, or behaviors of a broader population. The sampling design and respondent treatment influence the reliability and precision of results.

In music and media, an échantillon denotes a recorded sound fragment reused in a new work. This practice involves copyright, licensing, and technical considerations such as timing and audio quality.

Across uses, ethical and legal considerations—consent, privacy, and regulatory compliance—are often integral to handling échantillons.