representativeness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'representativeness' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the quality of being representative of a particular group or a broader situation. For example, "The samples selected for our study needed to be representative of the larger population."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

This may be due to a representativeness heuristic: a tendency to treat events as representative of some well-known class or pattern.

The Economist

A forthcoming study by Simon Chesterman of New York University points out that a more representative Security Council might be fairer, but not necessarily more effective; efficiency could be helped more by greater transparency, as well as more copious resources (including more peacekeeping troops).Effectiveness, not representativeness, is America's main concern at the UN.

The Economist

What interests him is J Street's claim that its liberal, anti-Likud stance is more representative of American Jewish opinion than AIPAC's far more hawkish position, and that it can use that representativeness to persuade American politicians to be less reflexively pro-Israel.

The Economist

Public administration researchers offer many scientific studies with evidence that bureaucrats are intrinsically motivated to innovate and better serve the public not only in terms of efficiency, but across other key values like equity, representativeness, and accountability.

The Economist

Another factor that tends to limit their effectiveness is their perceived lack of representativeness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The report says neither official is close to meeting EC President Claude Juncker's promise for "balance and representativeness" in the people and groups they meet.

Independent

He added: "Labour is working to increase the diversity and representativeness of Parliament and has a proud record of increasing the number of women and ethnic minority MPs".

Independent

It was also suggested in notes on the online survey that answers to the questions would enable the organisation to monitor the representativeness of the responses and identify trends.

Independent

There he developed a method called "matched sampling": he uses the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, which surveys a million people a year, to generate a random sample according to "fifteen variables of representativeness" and to determine who will participate in polls.

The New Yorker

The findings of the media focus groups deserve to be taken more seriously than the online polls, but here, too, representativeness is an issue.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Most developmental biologists consider model organisms as exemplars, not surrogates.[15] Thus, in order to respond to a criticism of non-representativeness, the criterion of representation must be explored in more detail.[16] A basic presumption about model organisms is that they bear appropriate similarity relationships to larger groups of animals.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing survey results, clearly define what "representativeness" means in the context of your sample population to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume that a sample is representative merely because it's large. Always validate "representativeness" through statistical tests and comparisons with known population characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The term "representativeness" functions as a noun, denoting the quality or state of accurately representing something or someone. It's often used to describe the extent to which a sample mirrors a larger population or a concept embodies a broader category. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, such as political representation and statistical sampling, which confirms the term's core function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "representativeness" is a noun that describes the degree to which something accurately reflects a larger group or concept. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. As highlighted by Ludwig examples, this term is used across a variety of domains, with primary contexts being in the news and media, science, and encyclopedias. When using the term, ensure that you validate and not assume the "representativeness" of a given study or sample. To enhance clarity in your writing, consider alternatives such as "typicality" or "accurate reflection" where appropriate. Remember to validate claims about "representativeness" with sound evidence to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typicality

Focuses more on the degree to which something is a typical example.

characteristic nature

Emphasizes the inherent qualities that make something representative.

accurate reflection

Highlights the precision in mirroring a larger entity.

faithful portrayal

Stresses the loyalty and accuracy in depicting something.

true likeness

Implies a close resemblance to the original.

proportionality

Emphasizes the correct balance in representing different parts of a whole.

inclusive scope

Focuses on how thoroughly all relevant aspects are included.

mirroring

Highlights that it acts as a mirror for a group or situation.

cross-section

Suggests a sample that fairly includes all the parts of a larger entity.

epitome

Suggests a quintessential or ideal example.

FAQs

How is "representativeness" used in academic research?

In academic research, "representativeness" ensures that the sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the population being studied. This allows researchers to generalize findings from the sample to the larger population with confidence.

What are some alternatives to using "representativeness" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "typicality", "proportionality", or "accurate reflection" to convey a similar meaning.

Why is "representativeness" important in political contexts?

"Representativeness" is crucial in politics to ensure that diverse voices and interests are fairly represented in decision-making processes, promoting equity and legitimacy in governance.

How does a lack of "representativeness" affect data analysis?

A lack of "representativeness" in data can lead to biased results and inaccurate conclusions. This can skew the interpretation of data and limit the generalizability of findings.