In many epidemiological studies, it is not possible to include every individual in a population. Rather, a [[Sampling strategies|sample]] of individuals is collected. This may be take the form of a [[Surveys#Study design|survey]], a [[Cross sectional studies#Study design|cross-sectional study]], a [[Experimental studies#Study design|randomised controlled trial]], and so on. The important issue is that '''not every individual in the [[Source population#Sampling strategies|source population]] is included, which means that [[Random error| random, or sampling, error]] may be introduced, as well as [[Bias|biases]].