Final answer:
The term "audience" in a prevention effectiveness study likely refers to the general public or healthcare providers who utilize the study's findings. It is not typically referring to the researchers or the participants of the study.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a prevention effectiveness study, the term "audience" refers to the individuals for whom the study results are intended to provide useful information. The options provided suggest different groups that might be involved in or benefit from the study. To answer the student's question:
- Researchers conducting the study (a) are the ones performing the study, not its audience.
- The general public (b) is often the largest and broadest audience for the outcomes of a study, as they can benefit from its findings on a wide scale.
- Healthcare providers (c) may use the findings from the study to make decisions about patient care or prevention strategies, thus they can also be considered part of the audience.
- Lastly, study participants (d) are the subjects of the research and not typically considered the audience.
Therefore, while the term "audience" may refer to varied groups depending on the context, in this case, it most likely refers to the general public or healthcare providers, as they utilize the information gleaned from the study to make informed decisions.
When considering study methodology, it's important to note that a random sample is an effective way to select participants because it ensures that every person in a population has the same chance of being part of the study, which helps to prevent bias and allows the results to be more representative of the entire population.