Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Population
In statistics, the population refers to the entire group of individuals or items that share a common characteristic, from which a sample can be drawn. In this context, the population consists of all 500 companies listed in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. Understanding the population is crucial for making inferences about the broader group based on the sample data.
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Sample
A sample is a subset of the population selected for analysis, intended to represent the larger group. In this scenario, the sample comprises the 74 companies contacted by the researcher. Analyzing the sample allows researchers to estimate characteristics, such as starting salaries, of the entire population without needing to survey every member.
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Sample Data Set
The sample data set refers to the collection of data obtained from the selected sample. In this case, it would include the starting salaries reported by the 74 contacted companies. This data set is essential for statistical analysis, as it provides the basis for drawing conclusions and making predictions about the population's starting salaries.
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