Example vs Sample: What’s the Difference?

An example is a specific instance or case used to illustrate a concept or idea, often to clarify, teach, or guide.

In contrast, a sample refers to a subset of a larger group, used for analysis or representation.

Examples clarify ideas by showcasing practical applications or demonstrating principles, while samples represent broader groups for studies, providing insights about a population or phenomenon through a smaller, manageable subset.

Definition and Usage of “Example”

  • Definition: An example is a specific case or instance used to demonstrate a concept or clarify an idea.
  • Usage: Examples often serve illustrative or explanatory purposes in various contexts. They can clarify definitions (“an example of a polygon is a hexagon”), support arguments (“in literature, Romeo and Juliet is an example of a tragedy”), or guide actions (“for example, you can apply these steps to fix the issue”).

    Examples:

    • In education: A math teacher shows how to solve a problem using a step-by-step example.
    • In writing: A book provides a detailed example to illustrate a point.
    • In software: An instruction manual includes examples to demonstrate product use.

Definition and Usage of “Sample”

  • Definition: A sample is a subset of a population or data set selected to represent the whole, used mainly for analysis or testing.
  • Usage: Samples play a critical role in research and analysis by offering a manageable set of data from which to derive insights about a larger group. They are used in scientific studies (“a sample of 100 people participated in the survey”), quality control (“a sample batch of products was inspected for defects”), and medicine (“the blood sample was analyzed for abnormalities”).

    Examples:

    • In research: A survey conducted with a sample of 500 respondents representing a population of 10,000.
    • In medicine: Blood samples taken from patients to diagnose illnesses.
    • In market research: A focus group, as a sample, is used to understand consumer opinions.

Example vs Sample (What's the Difference)