"Dick Beldin"  wrote 

> If the population is defined as the consequence of 
> some natural process and you observe it at different 
> epochs of time, you will have selected samples from 
> that population.
> 
> Example: The process is the use of an old fashioned 
> well pump to fill a tin cup. Each cupful is a sample 
> of the water and can be considered a replication of 
> a measurement process.

Let's say the samples indicate that the well is 
becoming contaminated.  Would you say that the act of 
sampling the water is causing the well to become 
contaminated?

Jim
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 * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 7/28/03 11:30:33 AM