Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

When a population is divided into subgroups based on important characteristics and samples are drawn randomly from those subgroups, what type of sampling is being used?

1. Simple random sampling

2. Stratified random sampling

3. Systematic sampling

4. Multi-stage sampling

The correct answer is: Stratified random sampling

Stratified random sampling is the correct method being described in the question. This technique involves dividing the population into distinct subgroups, or strata, based on certain shared characteristics that are deemed important for the study. Examples of these characteristics may include age, gender, income level, or education. After the population is stratified, random samples are drawn from each of these subgroups. The purpose of this approach is to ensure that each subgroup is adequately represented in the overall sample, allowing researchers to analyze differences and comparisons between these groups more accurately. By sampling proportionately from each stratum, researchers can enhance the statistical validity of their findings and ensure that variances between groups are accounted for in the analysis. This structured method ultimately leads to more insightful and reliable conclusions drawn from the research data. Understanding this context confirms why stratified random sampling is essential when researchers wish to maintain the integrity of diversity within their samples while also addressing specific characteristics of interest in their analyses.