using a sample

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "using a sample" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of employing a subset of a larger population for analysis or experimentation. Example: "The researchers conducted their study using a sample of 500 participants to ensure a diverse representation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She performs the analysis using a sample of 2,750 households surveyed in eight Peruvian cities in 2000.

The New York Times

They say that when using a sample, the yearly variations will not be sufficient to be statistically significant.

The New York Times

The UK ratings panel Barb (Broadcasters Audience Research Boardd) measures TV viewership using a sample of just 5,100 homes.

The Guardian

Using a sample of 5,822 children from this tracking study, they carried out detailed eye examinations on dyslexic and non-dyslexic children.

The Guardian

Sequenom, based in San Diego, was developing a test to detect the chromosomal abnormality Down syndrome in fetuses, using a sample of the pregnant mother's blood.

The New York Times

Using a sample of 65,000 departing members of the armed forces, they estimate that the average personal discount rate, taking taxes into account, exceeded 25percentt.

The New York Times

The process of using a sample to make inferences about a population is called statistical inference.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gimme! on her track Hung Up, instead of using a sample, she would have had to seek permission from the composers as the hook was so distinctive and identifiable with their track.

The Guardian - Music

Incidentally, this rather laissez-faire attitude to intellectual property tipped him into hot water in 2007, when he was sued by Kernal Records for using a sample of Finnish chiptune producer Janne Suni's Acidjazzed Evening for Nelly Furtado's Do It.

The Guardian - Music

Using a sample of more than 40 countries, the organisation has conducted five-yearly reviews of progress against the commitment, which was made in 1995 at the fourth world conference on women, held in Beijing.

The Guardian

Or perhaps as West and Jay Z put it in their own single, Niggas in Paris, using a sample from Will Farrell's Blades of Glory: "I don't even know what that means.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific reports or research papers, clearly define the characteristics of the sample you are "using a sample" to ensure transparency and replicability.

Common error

Avoid using "using a sample" without specifying details such as sample size, selection criteria, and relevant demographic information. Providing these details improves the credibility and interpretability of your findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "using a sample" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as an introductory element to describe the methodology employed in a study or analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "using a sample" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase, primarily used to describe the methodology in scientific, news, and formal contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates that a subset of a larger population is being employed for analysis. Related phrases include "employing a sample" and "drawing on a sample". Best practices involve clearly defining the sample's characteristics to ensure transparency, while common errors include vagueness in sample description. In summary, "using a sample" effectively conveys the application of a specific data collection method across various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

employing a sample

Replaces "using" with "employing", maintaining a formal tone.

utilizing a sample

Substitutes "using" with "utilizing", suggesting a more efficient application.

drawing on a sample

Replaces "using" with "drawing on", emphasizing reliance on the sample.

based on a sample

Indicates that the analysis or conclusion is derived from the sample data.

with a sample of

Changes the structure to emphasize the sample as a component.

working with a sample

Emphasizes the interaction with the sample data.

analyzing a sample

Focuses on the action of analyzing, rather than the act of using.

sampling from a population

Highlights the process of selecting the sample from a larger population.

applying a sample

Focuses on the application of the sample in a specific context.

taking a sample

Highlights the act of obtaining the sample.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "using a sample" in academic writing?

In academic writing, you can replace "using a sample" with more formal alternatives like "employing a sample", "utilizing a sample", or "drawing on a sample" to maintain a professional tone.

What does it mean to conduct a study "using a sample"?

Conducting a study "using a sample" means that researchers are gathering data from a subset of a larger population. This approach is often used to make inferences about the entire population without examining every individual.

Is it always necessary to specify the sample size when "using a sample" in research?

Yes, it is crucial to specify the sample size and provide relevant details about the sample when "using a sample" in research. This information helps others assess the validity and generalizability of your findings.

What are the limitations of "using a sample" instead of studying an entire population?

"Using a sample" may introduce sampling error, which is the difference between the sample statistics and the true population parameters. Researchers must employ appropriate statistical techniques to minimize this error and account for it in their interpretations.