Question

a group of veterinarians at a major veterinary hospital was interested in investigating a possible link between enteroliths (stones that form in the colon of horses) and diet. they decided to conduct a survey of the feeding practices for horses admitted to the veterinary hospital. to obtain a simple random sample, they used a computer to generate 4 - digit id numbers for all horses. they used random digit tables to select the horses. which of the following is a step in selecting a random sample by this procedure?
○ a. pick a random starting point in the table and read 4 digits.
○ b. read 4 digits across a line, and if the 4 digits correspond to a horse id, select the animal.
○ c. discard any sequence that does not correspond to a horse id, and move to the next 4 digits.
○ d. all of the answer options are correct.

Explanation:

Step1: Understand simple random sampling

Simple random sampling using random digit tables involves starting at a random point (a is correct).

Step2: Read and use digits

Reading 4 - digit numbers (assuming appropriate range for horse IDs) is part of the process (b is correct).

Step3: Discard non - valid sequences

Discarding sequences that don't correspond to a horse ID (as horse IDs are within a certain range) is necessary (c is correct).

Answer:

d. All of the answer options are correct.