What is a characteristic of random sampling in research?

The characteristic of random sampling that is highlighted by the chosen answer relates to the potential challenges faced in the data collection process. Random sampling involves selecting participants in a manner that allows each individual in the population an equal chance of being included, which can lead to a diverse sample. However, this method does not guarantee that all selected participants will be readily available or willing to participate in the research.

Participants may indeed be difficult to interview due to various reasons, such as scheduling conflicts or personal issues. This is particularly true in random sampling because the selection process does not involve any pre-determined criteria or filters that could facilitate easier access to participants. Instead, the randomness may result in selecting individuals who are less accessible or who may not respond promptly. As a result, researchers often face challenges in reaching their target sample size or obtaining the desired response rate when utilizing random sampling techniques.

This highlights a practical limitation of random sampling that researchers must often navigate during their studies.