If the sampling procedure used whole classrooms rather than selecting individuals, this would be called

If the sampling procedure used whole classrooms rather than selecting individuals, this would be called

• A. Simple random sampling
• B. Systematic sampling
• C. Stratified sampling
• D. Cluster sampling

Answer: (D)

Using intact groups as the sampling units is cluster sampling. When you pick whole classrooms and collect data from all students in those selected classrooms, you’re treating each classroom as a cluster and surveying everyone inside it (or sampling within the chosen clusters). This approach is distinctive because the focus is on selecting groups rather than individuals scattered across the population. This differs from simple random sampling, which would require choosing individual students across the entire student body; systematic sampling, which would select every nth student from an ordered list; and stratified sampling, which would divide students into homogeneous subgroups (like grade levels or genders) and sample within each subgroup rather than using whole classrooms as units. Cluster sampling is often more efficient and cost-effective because it reduces travel and administration by concentrating data collection within a few classrooms. However, it can result in less precision if students within the same classroom are more similar to each other than to students in other classrooms, increasing sampling error.

Using intact groups as the sampling units is cluster sampling. When you pick whole classrooms and collect data from all students in those selected classrooms, you’re treating each classroom as a cluster and surveying everyone inside it (or sampling within the chosen clusters). This approach is distinctive because the focus is on selecting groups rather than individuals scattered across the population.

This differs from simple random sampling, which would require choosing individual students across the entire student body; systematic sampling, which would select every nth student from an ordered list; and stratified sampling, which would divide students into homogeneous subgroups (like grade levels or genders) and sample within each subgroup rather than using whole classrooms as units.

Cluster sampling is often more efficient and cost-effective because it reduces travel and administration by concentrating data collection within a few classrooms. However, it can result in less precision if students within the same classroom are more similar to each other than to students in other classrooms, increasing sampling error.