The sample mean is a statistical measure that represents the average value of a set of data points. It is calculated by adding all the values in a sample and then dividing that sum by the number of values in the sample. This provides a central value that summarizes the data, making it easier to understand overall trends. In research, the sample mean is often used to estimate the population mean, which is the average of an entire group. By analyzing a smaller subset of data, researchers can draw conclusions about larger populations without needing to measure every individual, thus saving time and resources.