Quota is related to overall sample sizes and the make-up on different groups within that sample: quota is the number of respondents or data points needed to create the ideal sample profile. For example, if trying to design a sample that represents the US population, quotas are used to make sure the sample has the same percentage of people in their 20’s as the US population, and they can be used to balance any group of interest — by demographic categories, behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, situations, current statuses, etc. Quotas are the goals for the sample profile.