What term describes the naturally occurring discrepancy between a sample statistic and the corresponding population parameter?

What term describes the naturally occurring discrepancy between a sample statistic and the corresponding population parameter?

• A. Sampling Bias
• B. Random Error
• C. Measurement Error
• D. Sampling Error

Answer: (D)

When you draw a sample from a population, the statistic you calculate (such as the sample mean) will usually differ from the true population parameter simply because the sample is only a subset. This natural, random discrepancy is called sampling error. It reflects random sampling variability, not a flaw in measurement or a biased selection. As sample size grows, the typical size of sampling error shrinks (the standard error gets smaller), but it never vanishes entirely.

When you draw a sample from a population, the statistic you calculate (such as the sample mean) will usually differ from the true population parameter simply because the sample is only a subset. This natural, random discrepancy is called sampling error. It reflects random sampling variability, not a flaw in measurement or a biased selection. As sample size grows, the typical size of sampling error shrinks (the standard error gets smaller), but it never vanishes entirely.