Which of these gives an accurate example of a researcher's sampling universe?
A) An investigator wants to understand high school drop-out rates, so she draws her sample from all the high school students in her city.
B) An investigator wishes to understand parents' vaccination decisions, so he reads a selection of papers already published on the anti-vaccination movement.
C) A researcher hopes to explain the relationship between divorce rates and religious belief, so she interviews one divorced couple about their faith.
D) A researcher plans to teach safe sex to teens, so he provides leaflets and workshops to local clinics.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A sampling universe is the entire population from which a researcher draws a sample for their study. In this case, the investigator wants to understand high school drop-out rates, so her sampling universe includes all the high school students in her city.

Option B is incorrect because reading papers already published on the anti-vaccination movement is not representative of the population being studied. It only provides information from a select group of people who have already formed opinions about vaccination.

Option C is incorrect because studying only one divorced couple is not representative of the entire population of divorced individuals and their religious beliefs.

Option D is incorrect because providing leaflets and workshops to local clinics does not define a sampling universe.

Which of These Gives an Accurate Example of a Researcher's