Which term describes the range of values expected due to sampling error?

• A. Margin of error
• B. Significance level
• C. Confidence interval
• D. Sample size

Answer: (C)

The range of values expected due to sampling error is captured by the confidence interval. When you take a sample, the statistic you observe (like a mean or proportion) can differ from the true population value because of random sampling variation. A confidence interval expresses this uncertainty by providing a range around the sample estimate that, given a chosen level of confidence (such as 95%), is expected to contain the true population parameter.

You typically see it as the point estimate plus and minus a margin of error. The margin of error reflects the sampling variability and is tied to the standard error and the chosen confidence level. A higher confidence level yields a wider interval because you’re aiming to be more certain, while a larger sample size reduces the margin of error and narrows the interval.

Why the other terms don’t describe the range itself: the margin of error is the half-width of the interval, not the full range; the significance level relates to hypothesis testing error risk rather than a range of plausible parameter values; sample size influences how wide the interval is but isn’t the range itself.