Margin of Error

 Margin of error, also referred to as sampling error, describes the potential deviation of a survey result from the actual result had the entire audience, rather than a sample, been measured. Usually reported as plus or minus a particular percentage.

For example, a + 5% margin of error on a result of 75% means that if the survey was repeated the response could vary between 70% and 80%.

Margin of error is typically provided in conjunction within a confidence level. For example, a result of 75% + 5% margin of error at 95% confidence means that if the survey was repeated 100 times you could expect that 95 out of 100 times (confidence level) the response would be between 70% and 80% (margin of error.)  

See also Statistically Significant.

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