Final answer:
A Self-Selected (Voluntary Response) Sample is when individuals volunteer to participate in a survey or study, which can lead to biased and less reliable results compared to probability sampling methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Self-Selected (Voluntary Response) Sample is a type of sample where individuals choose to participate on their own. This means that the sample consists of volunteers who decide themselves to be part of a survey or study. Such a sample may lead to biased results because it does not necessarily represent the diversity of the entire population. Individuals who volunteer might have different opinions or characteristics than those who choose not to participate.
Researchers generally prefer to use probability sampling methods such as simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, or systematic sampling. These methods are designed to give each individual in the population an equal chance of being included, which helps in creating a sample that is more representative of the population. Self-selected samples, on the other hand, can lead to selection bias and are considered less reliable.
It is crucial to be aware that a survey that relies on a self-selected sample can be influenced by response bias, where the opinions collected do not accurately reflect the true views of the population. This is an important consideration when interpreting the results of such surveys, as the findings may not be generalizable to the wider population.