Final answer:
The most appropriate sampling method for polling voters on a referendum for a national airlines safety protocol would be probability sampling. This method ensures all eligible voters have an equal chance of being selected, resulting in a representative sample. Other methods, like convenience sampling, are less accurate but can provide insights if resources are limited.
Step-by-step explanation:
To design a sampling method for a poll of voters regarding a referendum calling for a national airlines safety protocol, it is crucial to ensure that the sample is representative of the voting population concerned with airline safety. Using a probability sampling method would be most appropriate for this scenario. This method entails randomly selecting individuals from the entire population of eligible voters, giving each person an equal chance of being selected. To carry out the poll, methodologists would need to establish clear criteria for defining who the voters are, such as only including those with a history of voting in previous elections. The sample could be drawn using random digit dialing or by obtaining a list of registered voters and using a random number generator to select participants.
An example of a non-probability method might be a convenience sample, which selects individuals based on ease of access, such as approaching people in busy areas of an airport, but this method would likely not yield results that are as accurate or representative as those obtained through probability sampling.
Overall, the goal is to achieve a sample that is random, representative, and big enough to allow for generalizations about the larger voting population's stance on the national airlines safety protocol. The final results of this sampling method would ideally inform the appropriate parties on how best to address the public’s concerns regarding airline safety.