Final answer:
Random sampling is used to select a representative group from a population, while random assignment is used to allocate participants into different groups. Random sampling is important for making inferences about the population, while random assignment helps eliminate preexisting differences between groups in experimental design.
Step-by-step explanation:
Random sampling is a method used to select a representative group from a population by giving each individual an equal chance of being included in the sample. This is important because it allows researchers to make inferences about the entire population based on the sample. Examples of random sampling methods include simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and systematic sampling.
Random assignment is a technique used in experimental design to allocate participants into different groups, such as an experimental group and a control group. With random assignment, all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to either group. This is important because it helps ensure that any differences observed between the groups are the result of the manipulation of the independent variable, rather than preexisting differences.