The Sampling Distribution

A sampling distribution is a way to understand how the results from different samples of data relate to the whole population. When you take many samples from a population and calculate a statistic (like average age), those results will vary, but they tend to form a predictable pattern or distribution. This pattern helps us estimate characteristics of the entire population and assess the accuracy or reliability of our sample-based conclusions. Essentially, it shows the likely range of outcomes we can expect if we repeated the sampling process multiple times.