Which type of sampling cannot determine the likelihood that a given element will be chosen?

Which type of sampling cannot determine the likelihood that a given element will be chosen?

• A. Non-Probability Sampling
• B. Probability Sample
• C. Simple Random Sample
• D. Accidental Sampling

Answer: (A)

The main idea is whether you can determine the likelihood that a given element will be included in the sample. In probability-based sampling, you have a known chance for each element to be chosen—you can calculate inclusion probabilities (for example, in a simple random sample each element has the same, known probability). This lets you quantify how representative the sample is and estimate sampling error. Non-probability sampling, on the other hand, does not use random selection with defined probabilities. Elements are chosen based on convenience, judgment, or accessibility, so there isn’t a known chance that any particular element was included. Accidental sampling is a common type of non-probability sampling where the sample appears as a byproduct of who is nearby or easy to reach. Because the inclusion probability cannot be determined, this approach cannot establish the likelihood that a given element was chosen. So the type that cannot determine the likelihood for a given element is non-probability sampling.

The main idea is whether you can determine the likelihood that a given element will be included in the sample. In probability-based sampling, you have a known chance for each element to be chosen—you can calculate inclusion probabilities (for example, in a simple random sample each element has the same, known probability). This lets you quantify how representative the sample is and estimate sampling error.

Non-probability sampling, on the other hand, does not use random selection with defined probabilities. Elements are chosen based on convenience, judgment, or accessibility, so there isn’t a known chance that any particular element was included. Accidental sampling is a common type of non-probability sampling where the sample appears as a byproduct of who is nearby or easy to reach. Because the inclusion probability cannot be determined, this approach cannot establish the likelihood that a given element was chosen.

So the type that cannot determine the likelihood for a given element is non-probability sampling.