Question

Which of the following situations represents choosing a random sample? Assign each person of the population a number. Put all the numbers into a bowl and choose ten numbers. Make a list of everyone in the population and put their names in alphabetical order. Choose every twelfth name. Make a list of everyone in the population and put their names in order of age. Choose the ten youngest and ten oldest people.

Answer 1

Answer: The first and second options are random samples.

First, assign numbers and drawing the number from a bowl would be a great way to get a random sample. Everyone has the same chance of being selected.

Second, using an alphabetical order is just like the first choice. The chances are the same for everyone.

However, in the third choice, you won't get a random sample. You will get an old and young group. Not a random group of the population.