Introduction
A sample is a smaller portion of a larger group used for analysis. Different sampling methods include:
- Systematic sample – We select a starting point and then choose every k-th element from the population.
- Stratified sample – We divide the population into subgroups so that the subjects share the same characteristics.
- Cluster sample – We divide the population area into sections. For example, studying shopping behavior only
in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Data Organization in Excel
The sample data is organized in Excel and analyzed using PivotTables. PivotTables allow you to:
- Summarize sales, earnings, and margins
- Filter and group data
- Analyze trends across the dataset
Key Attributes
| Attribute |
Description |
| Item Purchased |
Name of the product bought |
| Category |
Type or group of the product |
| Sale Price |
Price at which the item was sold |
| Cost |
Cost to acquire or produce the item |
| Earnings |
Profit earned (Sale Price − Cost) |
| Margin |
Profit margin percentage |
Analysis
Using PivotTables, you can:
- Group sales by Category to see which products perform best
- Calculate total Earnings and Margins per item or category
- Filter by region, date, or category to identify trends
Conclusion
Excel and PivotTables provide a powerful way to explore shopping behavior, understand profitability and
make data-driven decisions from a sample dataset.