Final answer:
Random sampling requires a complete list of the population of interest to ensure each member has an equal chance of selection, making it an effective method due to its representativeness of the population.
Step-by-step explanation:
Random sampling requires b) A list of all members in the population of interest. This list is essential because it ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. Random sampling is a key method in statistics to create a representative sample of a larger population. It is important to note that:
- Gathering those that happen to be available and asking them to participate in the study, often referred to as convenience sampling, can lead to a biased sample and is not an example of random sampling.
- Having two randomly created groups of participants to compare each other pertains more to experimental design rather than the process of random sampling.
The correct answer to why selecting a random sample is an effective way to select participants is d) Everyone has the same chance of being part of the study. This ensures that the sample is representative of the entire population, making the results of the study more reliable and generalizable.