Sampling bias occurs when a sample is not representative of the larger population from which it is drawn. This can happen if certain groups are overrepresented or underrepresented, leading to skewed results. For example, if a survey about public health only includes responses from urban residents, it may not accurately reflect the views of those living in rural areas. This bias can significantly affect research outcomes and decision-making. To minimize sampling bias, researchers should use random sampling methods and ensure diverse representation. By doing so, they can obtain more reliable data that better reflects the entire population's characteristics and opinions.