Question

researchers would like to assess the overall health of white pine trees in a state park. which of the following methods for choosing the trees to assess would be considered a convenience sample? a ranger hires employees to assess every tree in the park. the 100 trees closest to a ranger station are assessed for damage. a grid map of the park is used, and 100 random points on the grid are chosen and used to select the trees to assess. each tree in the state park is tagged with a number, and 100 random numbers that represent the trees are selected and assessed for damage.

Explanation:

A convenience sample is a non - probability sampling method where samples are selected based on ease of access.

• Option A: Assessing every tree is a census, not a sample.
• Option B: The 100 trees closest to a ranger station are easy to access, so this is a convenience sample.
• Option C: Using a grid map and random points is a form of random sampling (systematic or simple random - like), not convenience.
• Option D: Selecting random numbers to represent trees is simple random sampling, not convenience.

Answer:

B. The 100 trees closest to a ranger station are assessed for damage.