− | An important consideration when sampling from a population is that of random error, which results from chance variation in the members of any sample taken from a larger population. Random error may affect the conclusions you draw from a study by affecting the precision of a descriptive study, or the power of an analytic study. However, although the magnitude of random error can be quantified to some degree, its direction cannot be predicted due to its random nature. | + | An important consideration when sampling from a population is that of random error, which results from chance variation in the members of any sample taken from a larger population. Random error may affect the conclusions you draw from a study by affecting the precision of a descriptive study, or the power of an analytic study. However, although the magnitude of random error can be quantified to some degree, its direction cannot be predicted due to its random nature. Random errors can be accounted for to some degree through the application of [[Inferential statistics|inferential statistics]]. |