representativeness

IPA/ˌrep.rɪˈzen.tə.tɪv.nəs/
IPA/ˌrep.rɪˈzen.t̬ə.t̬ɪv.nəs/

representativeness — noun

1. the degree to which a small group shows the same traits and patterns as the whol

1.名詞C1
釋義

the degree to which a small group shows the same traits and patterns as the whole group it comes from, allowing reliable conclusions about the larger population

例句

Wei assessed the focus group's representativeness by matching its makeup against the latest census.

collocation: assess the representativeness of [sample]

Ananya doubted the representativeness of a survey that only reached people with internet access.

同義詞
  • typicality

    less technical; refers to how ordinary or characteristic something is rather than statistical accuracy

  • generalizability

    narrower; asks whether findings from a sample can be applied to other populations or settings

反義詞
  • unrepresentativeness

    direct opposite; rarely used outside academic writing

  • bias

    in statistics, a systematic error that makes a sample unrepresentative

文法句型

the representativeness of + [sample / group / data]

用法筆記

Uncountable noun used in formal and academic contexts. Almost always paired with 'of': 'the representativeness of the sample'. Contrast with 'representation', which refers to the act of speaking or acting on behalf of someone, or the presence of a group in an institution.

常見錯誤

The representativeness of women in parliament has improved.
The representation of women in parliament has improved.
💡'representativeness' is about how accurately a sample mirrors a whole; 'representation' means the act of speaking for someone or the presence of a group.