Which of the following best describes the difference between a $\mathrm{census}$ and a $\mathrm{sampling}$ in statistics?

• A. A $\mathrm{census}$ collects data from every member of the $\mathrm{population}$, while a $\mathrm{sampling}$ collects data from only a subset of the $\mathrm{population}$.
• B. A $\mathrm{census}$ is used only for qualitative data, while a $\mathrm{sampling}$ is used only for quantitative data.
• C. A $\mathrm{census}$ collects data from a random sample, while a $\mathrm{sampling}$ collects data from the entire $\mathrm{population}$.
• D. A $\mathrm{census}$ and a $\mathrm{sampling}$ are two terms for the same process in statistics.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of a population in statistics, which is the entire group of individuals or items that you want to study or draw conclusions about.
2. Step 2: Define a census as the process of collecting data from every single member of the population, ensuring complete information without any sampling error.
3. Step 3: Define sampling as the process of selecting a subset of individuals or items from the population to collect data, which is often used to make inferences about the whole population.
4. Step 4: Recognize that a census involves gathering data from all members, while sampling involves only a part of the population, which helps save time and resources but introduces sampling variability.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the key difference is that a census collects data from every member of the population, whereas sampling collects data from only a subset, making the first answer choice the correct description.