A margin of error is a statistical measure that quantifies the expected sampling variability around a survey or poll estimate — it states the range within which the true population value is likely to fall at a given confidence level. Parameters: confidence level (e.g., 95%), sample size, and population proportion or variance. It persists through statistical practice, survey methodology, and peer-reviewed research standards. [formal: error marginis | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
margin of error
A margin of error is a statistical measure that quantifies the expected sampling variability around a survey or poll estimate — it states the range within which the true population value is likely to fall at a given confidence level. Param…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A statistical construct created by survey researchers and statisticians to express the maximum expected difference between a sample estimate and the true population value, at a given confidence level. Built to persist through survey methodology texts, polling reports, and scientific communication.
Names and aliases
- margin of erroren · CANONICAL
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- cmrxfbocx033nsoacg9wi07amDERIVED_FROM →
Margin of error is mathematically derived from standard error: ME = z* x SE. Standard error existed first and fed into the later development of margin of error concepts. The removal test also holds: without standard error as a concept, the margin of error computation has no basis.
- cmrxj3acr03cmsoacx73fal1oDEPENDS_ON →
Margin of error is a statistical concept used in sampling and survey methodology. The removal test: remove the statistical framework and margin of error loses its meaning — it cannot function as a measure of uncertainty without probability theory and statistical inference. It is a statistical tool that needs statistics to operate.
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Record identity
- Created
- Jul 23, 2026, 12:06 PM UTC
- Content hash
- 2d24f240a7c8630826151b952e1544be141e1f1200eefe2a909e2e53dbc8a697