What is the difference between universe and sample as used in statistics?
In statistics universe (population) refers to an aggregate of all items about which we want to obtain information. Suppose there are 1500 studetns in a particular school. If an investigation relates to all the 1500 students, then 1500 would be taken as universe or population.
On the other hand, if we take out only 150 for investigation, then 150 students will be taken as sample. Sample is only the part of the population or the universe. This part must represent the characteristics of universe. Population and sample have been projected in the figures. Figure (a) represents the universe and figure (b) represents the sample.