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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Example and Sample?

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The words "example" and "sample" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and purposes:

  • Example: An example is a specific instance or case that is used to illustrate a point, support a claim, or demonstrate a concept, idea, or theory. It is typically used in situations where recreation or reconstruction is not possible and can be seen or observed. For instance, in a research paper on the effects of social media on teenagers, an example might be given of a particular teenager who experienced cyberbullying as a result.
  • Sample: A sample is a subset of a larger population that is selected for research purposes. It is used to gather data about the population as a whole, and the results are extrapolated to make inferences. In marketing and sales, a sample can refer to a physical thing, such as a specimen or model. For example, in quantitative research, a sample is a small number of respondents randomly selected from a population.

In summary, examples are used to illustrate or clarify a point, while samples are used to gather data about a particular population of interest. The main difference between the two lies in their purpose: examples are used to support or explain a claim or concept, whereas samples are used to represent and gather data about a larger group.

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  • What is the Difference Between Example and Sample?
  • Comparative Table: Example vs Sample

    • Comparative Table: Example vs Sample

    The difference between "example" and "sample" lies in their usage and representation. Here's a table summarizing the differences:

    Feature Example Sample
    Purpose Illustrates a specific concept or idea in context Represents a subset of a population or group
    Structure Often more complete, with enough content to illustrate a specific aspect May be a random selection from a group, not necessarily the choice that best epitomizes the group
    Usage Often used for a chunk of code, a formula, or other similar snippets to provide generic guidance on how something might be used Used to help in decision-making, particularly in decisions that involve selecting something based on its suitability

    Examples are typically used to illustrate a specific concept or idea in context, while samples are representative of a larger group and are often used to make decisions based on their suitability.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.