Which of the following is true of convenience sampling?

• A. It guarantees that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
• B. It requires a complete list of the population before sampling.
• C. It often leads to samples that are not representative of the population.
• D. It is the most reliable method for obtaining unbiased data.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling method where samples are taken from a group that is easy to access or contact.
2. Recall that in probability sampling methods, every member of the population has a known and equal chance of being selected, which is not the case in convenience sampling.
3. Recognize that convenience sampling does not require a complete list of the population because it relies on readily available subjects rather than a structured sampling frame.
4. Note that because convenience sampling selects samples based on ease of access, it often results in samples that are not representative of the entire population, leading to potential bias.
5. Conclude that convenience sampling is generally not the most reliable method for obtaining unbiased data due to its inherent selection bias.