Question

Sampling In a statistical study, which of the following types of samples is generally best: convenience sample, voluntary response sample, simple random sample, biased sample?

Short answer

Simple random sampling is generally the best.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The four types of samples are convenience sample, voluntary response sample, simple random sample, and biased sample.

Step 2:Characteristic of each sample

• Convenience sample: In convenience sampling, the responses are gathered as per the easiest mode or source available to the researcher. Often, the samples are not true representatives of the population.

• Voluntary response sample: In voluntary response sampling, the respondents respond to the survey as per their interests. These samples have high chances of being biased, leading to less reliable data.

• Simple random sample: In this sampling method, data is obtained by collecting responses from the random subjects in the population. The data has a very high chance of being a true representative of the population.

• Biased sample: In a biased sample, the responses are not a true representation of the population and are inclined toward a particular portion of the population.

As per the characteristics of the sample, the simple random sample provides atrue representation of the population and unbiased responses.

Thus, simple random sampling is the best.