A researcher plans a study in a school district to compare method A and method B of teaching reading. Which of the following approaches would be most likely to ensure a representative sample?
A) Obtain permission from a cooperative principal to nominate students in his school to experience each teaching method.
B) Require all students enrolled in English literature classes to serve as research participants.
C) Use students from one school as research participants to receive method A and students from a comparable school to receive method B.
D) Define the population as all students in the district receiving reading instruction, select a random sample, and randomly assign students to methods A or B.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option D ensures a representative sample by defining the entire population of interest (all students in the district receiving reading instruction) and using random sampling and assignment, which minimizes selection bias and allows for generalization of the results to the broader population.

A Researcher Plans a Study in a School District to Compare