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Related Concept Videos

Sampling Methods: Sample Types01:18

Sampling Methods: Sample Types

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Sampling materials are classified into three main types: solid, liquid, and gas.
Solid samples include a variety of substances, such as sediments from water bodies, soil, metals, and biological tissues. Two standard methods for extracting sediments from water bodies are grab sampling and piston coring. Grab sampling involves using a device to collect a discrete sediment sample from the bottom of a water body with minimal disturbance. Grab samples do not always represent the entire area due to...
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Convenience Sampling Method00:55

Convenience Sampling Method

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Sampling is a technique to select a portion (or subset) of the larger population and study that portion (the sample) to gain information about the population. Data are the result of sampling from a population. The sampling method ensures that samples are drawn without bias and accurately represent the population.
Convenience sampling is a non-random method of sample selection; this method selects individuals that are easily accessible and may result in biased data. For example, a marketing...
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Sampling Methods: Overview01:06

Sampling Methods: Overview

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A sample refers to a smaller subset representative of a larger population. In analytical chemistry, studying or analyzing an entire population is often impractical or impossible. Therefore, samples are used to draw inferences and generalize the whole population. The sampling method selects individuals or items from a population to create a sample. Standard sampling methods include random, judgemental, systematic, stratified, and cluster sampling. 
In analytical chemistry, the choice of...
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Systematic Sampling Method01:17

Systematic Sampling Method

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Sampling is a technique to select a portion (or subset) of the larger population and study that portion (the sample) to gain information about the population. Data are the result of sampling from a population. The sampling method ensures that samples are drawn without bias and accurately represent the population. Because measuring the entire population in a study is not practical, researchers use samples to represent the population of interest.
Systematic sampling is one of the simplest methods...
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Stratified Sampling Method01:16

Stratified Sampling Method

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Sampling is a technique to select a portion (or subset) of the larger population and study that portion (the sample) to gain information about the population. The sampling method ensures that samples are drawn without bias and accurately represent the population. Because measuring the entire population in a study is not practical, researchers use samples to represent the population of interest.
To choose a stratified sample, divide the population into groups called strata and then take a...
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Cluster Sampling Method01:20

Cluster Sampling Method

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Appropriate sampling methods ensure that samples are drawn without bias and accurately represent the population. Because measuring the entire population in a study is not practical, researchers use samples to represent the population of interest.
To choose a cluster sample, divide the population into clusters (groups) and then randomly select some of the clusters. All the members from these clusters are in the cluster sample. For example, if you randomly sample four departments from your...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 14, 2026

An All-in-one Sample Holder for Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography with Minimal Background Scattering
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A Method for Choosing the Best Samples for Mars Sample Return.

Peter R Gordon1, Mark A Sephton1

  • 1Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London , UK .

Astrobiology
|February 15, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Pyrolysis-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) can triage Mars samples for habitability and organic matter. This technique prioritizes samples for the Mars Sample Return mission, identifying potential biosignatures for astrobiology research.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology and planetary science, focusing on the search for extraterrestrial life and understanding Mars' geological history.

Background:

  • The success of the Mars Sample Return mission hinges on selecting the most scientifically valuable samples.
  • The Theiikian era on Mars, characterized by acidic and dry conditions following a neutral, wet period, is a prime target for searching for evidence of past life.
  • Sulfate minerals from the Theiikian era are known to preserve organic matter, making them crucial for astrobiological investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate Pyrolysis-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (Pyrolysis-FTIR) as a triage instrument for the Mars Sample Return mission.
  • To develop a method for identifying and prioritizing Martian samples with high potential for habitability and evidence of life.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Pyrolysis-FTIR to thermally dissociate minerals and organic matter in samples from a Mars analog environment.
  • Developed a three-tier scoring system (AAA to CCC) based on the detection of organic signals, carbon dioxide/water, and sulfur dioxide.
  • Employed single-step and multistep pyrolysis-FTIR methods to differentiate sample priorities.

Main Results:

  • Pyrolysis-FTIR successfully identified samples with the highest probability of past habitability and habitation.
  • The scoring system effectively categorized samples, with AAA indicating the highest priority (potential biosignatures) and CCC the lowest.
  • Demonstrated the capability of Pyrolysis-FTIR to detect key indicators of habitability and organic preservation.

Conclusions:

  • Pyrolysis-FTIR is a viable triage tool for the Mars Sample Return mission, enabling efficient sample selection.
  • The developed scoring system provides a robust mechanism for ranking samples based on their astrobiological potential.
  • Prioritizing samples with Pyrolysis-FTIR will enhance the scientific return of future Mars exploration missions.