Universe or Population

The word universe as used in statistics denotes the aggregate from which a sample is to be taken. According to Simpson and Kafka, a universe or population may be defined as an aggregate of items possessing a common trait or traits M Hamburg has defined it as, the universe or population consists of the total collection of items or elements that fall within the scope of statistical investigation

In short aggregate of all items falling within the scope of inquiry is called universe. The scope of the universe depends upon the definition, object and available resources for the investigation, for example if we want to study about the wages of the  workers  of a factory, all  the workers  taken together shall  be called in universe  and each worker, an unit  or an element. Similarly if in the  year 1998  there are 2,00,000  students in Rajasthan  university and a survey  is required to be made about the employment position of the students, the total  students 2,00,000 is the universe and each student of the universe is called a unit or an element.