In
statistics, a
simple random sample is a subset of
individuals (a
sample) chosen from a larger set (a
population). Each individual is chosen
randomly and entirely by chance, such that each individual has the same
probability of being chosen at any stage during the sampling process, and each subset of
k individuals has the same probability of being chosen for the sample as any other subset of
k individuals. This process and technique is known as
simple random sampling, and should not be confused with
systematic random sampling. A simple random sample is an unbiased surveying technique.