Lettuce is planted on a 46-acre field. The field is divided into one-acre subplots. A sample is taken from each subplot to est
imate the harvest. What type of sampling is used? A. Convenience sampling is used, since the lettuce plants closest to the barn are sampled. B. Stratified sampling is used, since the field is divided into subplots and a random sample is taken from each subplot. C. Cluster sampling is used, since the field is divided into subplots, a number of subplots are selected, and every lettuce plant in the selected subplots is sampled. D. Simple random sampling is used, since each sample of lettuce plants of the same amount has the same chance of being selected.
The correct answer is B. Stratified sampling is used since the field is divided into subplots and a random sample is taken from each subplot.
Explanation:
Sampling refers to the process followed by researchers to select a group of individuals from a larger group; considering in most studies it is not possible to analyze all the population. In the case of stratified sampling, this involves dividing the general population into smaller groups, which are known as strata; after this, the researcher selects a specific number of individuals from each strata. This method guarantees the sample is selected randomly, and therefore the study is not biased. Stratified sampling was the method used in the example described because, in this, the general population (46-acre field) was divided into subplots that represent the strata. Also, after this, the researcher selected one random sample.
