In order to take a sample of the general population, you must clearly define the full population of people you’re studying before sampling.
For Example…
Let’s say you are selecting a sample for a survey about whether Americans’ views on the 2020 election have been impacted by the federal response to the pandemic. Your “population” in this instance may not be all U.S. citizens, but specifically those U.S. citizens who are registered voters. Notice that this category is more specific than “all U.S. citizens” – these people fall within a certain age range, criminal status, etc., because of their status as registered U.S. voters.
It’s important to understand the parameters of your population so that you can plan how you will reach a representative sample, and so that nobody in your sample falls outside of them.
Personal Project
Before you learn how to sample, take a few minutes to define your population of interest. Who specifically do you need to reach with your survey to answer your research question?
Now that you have identified your population, you can figure out the best way to select your sample.
