Question

local government officials would like to know if city residents are generally satisfied with the cleanliness of local streets and recreation areas. to estimate the level of satisfaction, the officials are considering many methods to collect information. which of the following methods would not provide a voluntary response sample?

the city’s webpage contains a survey where residents can share their opinions.
a printed survey is provided in the sunday newspaper requesting that residents mail in their responses.
a random sample of homes in the city is taken, and city officials visit these homes and survey the homeowners.
the local officials are guests on a radio talk show, and residents call in to the show to share their opinions.

Explanation:

A voluntary response sample is one where individuals themselves choose to be part of the sample. In the case of a random sample of homes being visited and surveyed, the homeowners are not volunteering in the sense of self - selecting (they are randomly selected and then surveyed, not choosing to respond on their own initiative like in the other options where people can choose to go to the website, mail in a response, or call in).

Answer:

A random sample of homes in the city is taken, and city officials visit these homes and survey the homeowners.