State the difference between a 'population' and a 'sample'.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] (a) Both marks are for the difference.
2. 1 mark for an implicit difference (e.g. two accurate definitions).
3. 2 marks for an explicit difference (i.e. a contrast).
4. ∞ Population = all the people who could be used in the study;
5. Sample = the participants / people who are used in the study / a selection of the population (from whom the results will be generalised and should represent the population)
6. A population is all the people of one type, a sample is the people in a study = 1 mark.
7. A population is all the people of one type, a sample is just those who become participants = 2 marks.
8. [1] (b) 1 mark for the population, i.e. the general category
9. ∞ American;
10. ∞ male;
11. ∞ New Haven residents;
12. ∞ newspaper readers;
13. ∞ aged 20–50 years;
14. ∞ a range of occupations;