http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.cfm?term=Representative%20Sample
Because without representative sample, your results will not be valid.
A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole
When a sample is representative of a population, it is said to be a "probability sample" or simply a "representative sample." This means that the characteristics of the sample accurately reflect those of the larger population, allowing for valid inferences and generalizations. Such samples are essential in statistical analysis to ensure the findings can be applied to the entire population.
Take a simple random sample.
Well, if your sample does not represent the larger sample, you'll certainly not get a valid result ... For example, if you're studying pregnancy and your sample includes men - The whole idea of "representative' sample is fuzzy and often gives interesting errors.
Many statistical statements for a population which are based on a sample are not valid if the sample is not representative.
Because without representative sample, your results will not be valid.
A representative sample is a randomly selected subset of the population.
A simple random sample.
This type of research is called a survey study. Researchers use surveys to collect self-reported data from a sample of individuals to understand behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, or opinions in psychology. The goal is to generalize the findings from the sample to the broader population from which it was drawn.
A sample is any subset of the total population. A representative sample is one that is chosen so that its characteristics are similar to that of the population.
A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole
It is called a representative sample.
When a sample is representative of a population, it is said to be a "probability sample" or simply a "representative sample." This means that the characteristics of the sample accurately reflect those of the larger population, allowing for valid inferences and generalizations. Such samples are essential in statistical analysis to ensure the findings can be applied to the entire population.
That the key characteristics of the population are reflected in the sample.
Take a simple random sample.
Well, if your sample does not represent the larger sample, you'll certainly not get a valid result ... For example, if you're studying pregnancy and your sample includes men - The whole idea of "representative' sample is fuzzy and often gives interesting errors.