What is a potential drawback of systematic sampling?

What is a potential drawback of systematic sampling?

• A. Bias can be introduced
• B. It always yields a representative sample
• C. Sampling is always fast
• D. Every individual has equal chance

Answer: (A)

Systematic sampling can be quick and simple, but it can introduce bias when the population has a regular pattern that matches the sampling interval. If the list cycles through subgroups every few items, selecting every kth item will overrepresent one subgroup and underrepresent another, so the sample may not reflect the whole population. That’s why bias is a potential drawback. It’s not guaranteed to be representative in every situation, and the method doesn’t automatically give equal chances to every individual since, after the initial random start, selections follow a fixed interval. The speed of sampling or the idea that everyone has an equal chance everywhere aren’t inherent guarantees of this approach.

Systematic sampling can be quick and simple, but it can introduce bias when the population has a regular pattern that matches the sampling interval. If the list cycles through subgroups every few items, selecting every kth item will overrepresent one subgroup and underrepresent another, so the sample may not reflect the whole population.

That’s why bias is a potential drawback. It’s not guaranteed to be representative in every situation, and the method doesn’t automatically give equal chances to every individual since, after the initial random start, selections follow a fixed interval. The speed of sampling or the idea that everyone has an equal chance everywhere aren’t inherent guarantees of this approach.