"random" vs. "representative"

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RD - 17 Mar 2005 19:56 GMT

I'm often asked to create reports containing a "random" selection of
records. I've got several different functions for doing this
depending on the report requirements.

What I'm finding out is that when people say they want a "random"
sample they really mean "I want a representative sample but I don't
want to choose the records myself".

I have a "type" field and a "subtype" field. There would be types
01-99 and subtypes 0-9 and A-Z combined appearing like: 30-C or 04-1
etc.

The request was for "a random sample of 100 records but make sure
there are plenty of 45-* records".

Anybody have any ideas on returning "representative" records?

Thanks for any help,
RD

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RD - 18 Mar 2005 17:12 GMT

Fuhgeddaboudit. They've changed their minds.

I think, out of curiosity, I might take some time to develop a method
for pulling "representative" records. It might be useful for
statistical analysis.

>I'm often asked to create reports containing a "random" selection of
>records. I've got several different functions for doing this
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>Thanks for any help,
>RD

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Dizzyone - 01 Jun 2005 00:01 GMT

I saw in your question where you stated that you have several different
functions for selecting random records in a report. I have a table that has
an autonumber field. I need to retrieve every NTH record and I can't figure
out how to do this. I have created some macros and modules so I'm not a
complete Access/VBA novice. Any help you can give me will be greatly
appreciated.

> I'm often asked to create reports containing a "random" selection of
> records. I've got several different functions for doing this
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Thanks for any help,
> RD

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PC Datasheet - 01 Jun 2005 00:23 GMT

Create a query based on your table. Add a calculated field that numbers your
records appropriately depending on what Nth is. Then pull out the records
where the number is evenly divided by N.

--
PC Datasheet
Your Resource For Help With Access, Excel And Word Applications
resource@pcdatasheet.com
www.pcdatasheet.com

> I saw in your question where you stated that you have several different
> functions for selecting random records in a report. I have a table that has
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> > Thanks for any help,
> > RD

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dunk - 02 Jun 2005 16:38 GMT

Use Step to pull every Nth record.

From VB Help:

Using the Step keyword, you can increase or decrease the counter variable by
the value you specify. In the following example, the counter variable j is
incremented by 2 each time the loop repeats. When the loop is finished, total
is the sum of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.

Sub TwosTotal()
For j = 2 To 10 Step 2
total = total + j
Next j
MsgBox "The total is " & total
End Sub

HTH,
RD

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