A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population from which it is drawn is a:
A) cluster sample.
B) purposive sample.
C) random sample.
D) representative sample.

Question

A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population from which it is drawn is a:
A) cluster sample.
B) purposive sample.
C) random sample.
D) representative sample.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Representativeness means that the sample, accessible population, and target population are alike in as many ways as possible.
Knowing a sample is a cluster sample tells how it was created, but does not define a representative sample. Representativeness means that the sample, accessible population, and target population are alike in as many ways as possible.
Knowing a sample is a purposive sample tells how it was created, but does not define a representative sample. Representativeness means that the sample, accessible population, and target population are alike in as many ways as possible.
Knowing a sample is a random sample tells how it was created, but does not define a representative sample. Representativeness means that the sample, accessible population, and target population are alike in as many ways as possible.

A Sample That Accurately Reflects the Characteristics of the Population