Answer to Question #299878 in Statistics and Probability for zia

Question

Which of the following sampling method would be least likely to produce accurate and representative samples?

a.      Cluster Sampling

b.     Simple Random Sampling

c.      Systematic Sampling

d.     Snowball Sampling

Answer 1

The correct choice is d: snowball sampling

The nature of snowball sampling is such that it cannot be considered for a representative sample or in that case for statistical studies. It is  a non-probability sampling technique in which the samples have traits that are rare to find. 

For this sampling technique, representativeness of the sample is not guaranteed because the researcher has no idea of the true distribution of the population and of the sample. Also, sampling bias is also a fear of researchers when using this sampling technique. Initial subjects tend to nominate people that they know well.