What considerations determine sampling rate in data acquisition systems?

Sampling rate selection considers: Nyquist criterion (sample at >2x highest signal frequency to avoid aliasing), signal bandwidth (capture all frequencies of interest), accuracy requirements (10-20x highest frequency for waveform reconstruction), anti-alias filter characteristics (higher sampling allows simpler filter), storage/processing capacity, and application requirements (power quality needs 256+ samples/cycle; transient capture needs MHz). Simultaneous sampling is needed when phase relationships matter (power measurement). Oversampling with averaging improves resolution and reduces noise.