If a sample is selected from a population, the sample mean is essentially guaranteed to be different from the population mean. In general, the naturally occurring difference between a sample statistic and the corresponding population parameter is called ____.
A) Type I error
B) Type II error
C) sampling error
D) inferential error

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The naturally occurring difference between a sample statistic (such as the sample mean) and the corresponding population parameter (such as the population mean) is called sampling error. This is due to the fact that a sample is only a subset of the entire population and therefore may not perfectly represent the true characteristics of the population. Type I and Type II errors refer to mistakes made in hypothesis testing, while inferential error is a more general term not specific to sampling.

If a Sample Is Selected from a Population, the Sample