A random sample is a selection of individuals or items from a larger population where each member has an equal chance of being chosen. This method is often used in research to ensure that the sample accurately represents the broader group, minimizing bias. For example, if a researcher wants to study the opinions of students in a school, they might randomly select a few students from each grade level. Using a random sample helps improve the reliability of results and conclusions drawn from the data. It is a fundamental concept in statistics and is essential for conducting surveys, experiments, and other forms of data collection, ensuring that findings can be generalized to the entire population.