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analgesic

n. a drug or other agent that alleviates pain. Analgesic drugs usually are classed as opioid (narcotic) or nonopioid (nonnarcotic), depending on their chemical composition and potential for physical dependence. Opioid analgesics are generally the most effective in relieving pain. The most widely used of the less potent nonopioid analgesics are the NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)—most notably aspirin—and acetaminophen.

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Psychology term of the day

December 18th 2024

sampling

sampling

n. the process of selecting for study a limited number of units from a larger set. The term most often refers to the selection of respondents, observations, or cases for inclusion in experiments, surveys, interviews, or other research. However, sampling can also involve selecting theoretical constructs to study, selecting measurement instruments from a broad set of potential options, or selecting time points at which to observe individuals or cases. There are various different selection methods, including simple random sampling, stratified sampling, convenience sampling, and quota sampling. Each approach has a different potential of obtaining a sample appropriately representative of the population under study.