Asked by Sara-Beth Wichman on Jul 29, 2024
Verified
How do sociologists know if the sample they are using is representative?
A) If the people in the sample freely volunteered to serve as representatives
B) If the sample has an even number, decided by the researcher, of people from several different categories or backgrounds
C) If the sample has the same mix of people, in the same proportions, as the population being studied
D) If the participants have been interviewed to reveal possible bias
Representative Sample
A subset of a population that accurately reflects the members of the entire population.
Sociologists
Scientists who study human societies, covering a broad range of topics from social behavior, culture, to institutions and their development.
Sample
Any subset of units from a population that a researcher studies.
- Understand the importance and methods of ensuring a sample is representative of the population.
Verified Answer
EL
Edwin LeBronAug 02, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
A representative sample is one that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population being studied. Therefore, the sample must have the same mix of people, in the same proportions, as the population being studied. It is important to avoid bias in selecting the sample, such as only selecting volunteers or only selecting people from certain categories or backgrounds. Interviews can be helpful in identifying potential bias, but they do not ensure that the sample is representative.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance and methods of ensuring a sample is representative of the population.