Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Quota sampling.
Exam Relevance: AP Statistics, GRE, GMAT, Psychology exams
Difficulty: Easy
Concept notes: Quota sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where the researcher ensures that certain characteristics are represented in the sample in proportion to their prevalence in the population.
Common Mistakes: Students often confuse quota sampling with stratified random sampling, which is a probability sampling method.
Explanations: Quota sampling is a non-probability sampling method because the selection of participants is based on predefined quotas rather than random selection. This means that while the sample may reflect certain characteristics of the population, it is not selected randomly, and thus, it does not provide the same level of statistical reliability as probability sampling methods.
Option Analysis: - Option A: Quota sampling is a non-probability sampling method where the researcher ensures that certain characteristics are represented in the sample in proportion to their prevalence in the population.
- Option B: Cluster sampling is a probability sampling method where the population is divided into clusters, and a random sample of these clusters is selected.
- Option C: Systematic sampling is a probability sampling method where every nth member of the population is selected after a random start.
- Option D: Stratified random sampling is a probability sampling method where the population is divided into strata, and a random sample is taken from each stratum.
Mnemonic: Quota: Quotas, not random.