Sampling

Sampling may refer to:

Sampling (signal processing), converting a continuous signal into a discrete signal
Sampling (music), re-using portions of sound recordings in a piece
- Sampler (musical instrument), closely related to a synthesizer
Sampling (statistics), selection of observations to acquire some knowledge of a statistical population
Sampling (case studies), selection of cases for single or multiple case studies
Sampling (audit), application of audit procedures to less than 100% of population to be audited
Sampling (for testing or analysis), taking a representative portion of a material or product to test (e.g. by phyisical measurements, chemical analysis, microbiological examination), whether for the purposes of identification, quality control, or regulatory assessment

Specific types of sampling include:

Chorionic villus sampling, a method of detecting fetal abnormalities
Food sampling, the process of taking a representative portion of a food for analysis, usually to test for quality, safety or compositional compliance. (Not to be confused with Food, free samples, a method of promoting food items to consumers)
Oil sampling, the process of collecting samples of oil from machinery for analysis
Theoretical sampling, the process of selecting comparison cases or sites in qualitative research
Water sampling, the process of taking a portion of drinking water for analysis, e.g. to check that it complies with relevate water quality standards, or river water to check for pollutants, or bathing water to sheck that it is safe for bathing, or intrusive water in a building to identify its source.

See also