What is cluster sampling?

What is cluster sampling?

• A. Sampling individuals in a single location.
• B. Sampling groups or clusters; reduces cost but increases sampling error.
• C. Sampling across multiple strata.
• D. Sampling only those who volunteer.

Answer: (B)

Cluster sampling divides the population into natural groups, or clusters, and you sample those clusters rather than individuals spread across the whole population. This design lowers costs and logistical effort because data collection can be concentrated in just a few locations. At the same time, it can increase sampling error because individuals within the same cluster tend to be more similar to each other than to those in other clusters, which reduces the precision of estimates for the whole population. The description you’re looking for fits this idea: sampling groups or clusters; reduces cost but increases sampling error. The other options describe different methods—sampling from a single location is more like convenience or simple local sampling, sampling across multiple strata points to stratified sampling, and sampling only volunteers reflects self-selection bias.

Cluster sampling divides the population into natural groups, or clusters, and you sample those clusters rather than individuals spread across the whole population. This design lowers costs and logistical effort because data collection can be concentrated in just a few locations. At the same time, it can increase sampling error because individuals within the same cluster tend to be more similar to each other than to those in other clusters, which reduces the precision of estimates for the whole population.

The description you’re looking for fits this idea: sampling groups or clusters; reduces cost but increases sampling error. The other options describe different methods—sampling from a single location is more like convenience or simple local sampling, sampling across multiple strata points to stratified sampling, and sampling only volunteers reflects self-selection bias.