In research terms, random sampling is concerned with...

In research terms, random sampling is concerned with...

• A. How participants are selected
• B. How participants are assigned to groups
• C. How variables are measured
• D. How data are analyzed

Answer: (A)

Random sampling is about how participants are chosen from the population. The goal is to give each member of the population an equal or known chance of being included, which helps ensure the study findings can generalize beyond the sample (external validity). This is different from random assignment, which happens after sampling and involves placing participants into different groups to control for confounding variables (internal validity). Measuring variables is about the tools and procedures used to assess outcomes, and data analysis is about how those data are interpreted statistically. So the core idea is that random sampling deals with the selection process, not with group assignment, measurement, or analysis. In practice, you might use simple random or stratified random sampling to obtain a representative sample of individuals with substance use disorders to extend findings to the broader population.

Random sampling is about how participants are chosen from the population. The goal is to give each member of the population an equal or known chance of being included, which helps ensure the study findings can generalize beyond the sample (external validity). This is different from random assignment, which happens after sampling and involves placing participants into different groups to control for confounding variables (internal validity). Measuring variables is about the tools and procedures used to assess outcomes, and data analysis is about how those data are interpreted statistically. So the core idea is that random sampling deals with the selection process, not with group assignment, measurement, or analysis. In practice, you might use simple random or stratified random sampling to obtain a representative sample of individuals with substance use disorders to extend findings to the broader population.