Which term describes data collected from every member of the population?

Which term describes data collected from every member of the population?

• A. Census
• B. Sample
• C. Experiment
• D. Survey

Answer: (A)

Collecting data from every member of a population is called a census. The defining idea is completeness—you survey or measure the entire group, so you obtain exact population values (parameters) rather than estimates. Because every unit is included, there’s no sampling error, which is why a census is so precise for the metrics you’re analyzing, such as pay distributions or other workforce characteristics. But censuses aren’t always practical. They can be costly and time-consuming, and even with everyone included, you still have to manage nonresponse or data quality issues. This is why, in many real-world settings, organizations use samples to estimate population values when a full census isn’t feasible. A sample is data from a subset of the population, which introduces sampling error but is generally more practical for large groups. An experiment involves manipulating variables to observe effects, rather than simply counting or measuring existing attributes. A survey is a method of asking questions to collect data and can be used on either a full population (a census) or a subset (a sample); the term describes the approach, not necessarily the scope of data collection.

Collecting data from every member of a population is called a census. The defining idea is completeness—you survey or measure the entire group, so you obtain exact population values (parameters) rather than estimates. Because every unit is included, there’s no sampling error, which is why a census is so precise for the metrics you’re analyzing, such as pay distributions or other workforce characteristics.

But censuses aren’t always practical. They can be costly and time-consuming, and even with everyone included, you still have to manage nonresponse or data quality issues. This is why, in many real-world settings, organizations use samples to estimate population values when a full census isn’t feasible.

A sample is data from a subset of the population, which introduces sampling error but is generally more practical for large groups. An experiment involves manipulating variables to observe effects, rather than simply counting or measuring existing attributes. A survey is a method of asking questions to collect data and can be used on either a full population (a census) or a subset (a sample); the term describes the approach, not necessarily the scope of data collection.