PsychologyJuly 13, 2026

oversample

/ˈoʊvərˌsæmpəl/

Definition

To include a larger proportion of a specific subgroup in a survey than exists in the general population to ensure there is enough data for meaningful analysis.

Etymology

Derived from the English prefix 'over-' (meaning 'in excess' or 'to an excessive degree') combined with 'sample' (a subset of a population). It emerged in the context of statistics to describe the practice of deliberately increasing the representation of minority or specific segments within a study group.

In the news

The researchers utilized a non-probability oversample to ensure they had sufficient data on Michigan adults specifically, allowing for a more detailed analysis than a smaller, representative sample might provide.

Are 988 and other mental health crisis lines missing people over 50?

Read the full article ↗

EurekAlert!

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.

Not for marketing. One email on launch day.