In cluster sampling, what is typically done?

In cluster sampling, what is typically done?

• A. Survey only those who respond to a mail invitation
• B. Population divided into clusters; some clusters are sampled entirely
• C. Population divided into strata; samples drawn from each stratum
• D. Every member has an equal chance of selection

Answer: (B)

In cluster sampling, you group the population into natural groups called clusters, then randomly select some of those clusters and survey all individuals within the chosen clusters. This setup makes data collection more practical and cheaper when people are spread over wide areas because you focus on whole clusters rather than listing and sampling individuals everywhere. It differs from stratified sampling, where you divide into strata and take samples from each one, ensuring representation from every subgroup. It’s also not about surveying only responders to a mail invitation, and it doesn’t guarantee equal chance of selection for every member, which is more characteristic of simple random sampling. The description that matches cluster sampling is dividing into clusters and surveying all members in the sampled clusters.

In cluster sampling, you group the population into natural groups called clusters, then randomly select some of those clusters and survey all individuals within the chosen clusters. This setup makes data collection more practical and cheaper when people are spread over wide areas because you focus on whole clusters rather than listing and sampling individuals everywhere. It differs from stratified sampling, where you divide into strata and take samples from each one, ensuring representation from every subgroup. It’s also not about surveying only responders to a mail invitation, and it doesn’t guarantee equal chance of selection for every member, which is more characteristic of simple random sampling. The description that matches cluster sampling is dividing into clusters and surveying all members in the sampled clusters.