A Singapore Government Agency Website

Official website links end with .gov.sg
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Sign In
Skip Navigation LinksLabour Market Statistics and Publications > Concepts > From Sample to Population Uses
From Sample to Population Uses
SAMPLE DESIGN
Switch statistical concept
Using Mean, Median or Mode Mean Median ModeA Measure Enabling Comparison Absolute vs Relative Change Annualized Percentage Growth Distribution Incidence From Sample to PopulationSample Reliability Seasonal Adjustment Percentiles Quantitative vs Qualitative Range Ratios Stock and Flow

Uses

Census or sample survey?

To obtain information on the population, one can choose to carry out a census or a sample survey. To capture a comprehensive picture of the population, it is best to have as large a sample as possible. However, this is not always achievable. Data collectors have to consider:

imas ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Availability of resources like budget, time and manpower,
imas ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Respondent burden, and ​
imas ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accuracy required, bearing in mind the level of detail of the information needed.