Sampling theory is a study of the relationships between a population and its extracted samples.
It is useful in:
- estimation of population parameters;
- Determination of the causes of observed differences between samples.
It is what we call inductive statistics or statistical inference which consists in inferring important conclusions about a population from the analysis of results observed in random samples.
Within nursing, this theory allows us to conclude which are the most prevalent health-related problems in the population, so hospital treatments and care will be adapted to this population ensuring greater efficiency of care of the nursing staff.