What is a list of individuals from which the sample is drawn?

• A. Sampling frame
• B. Random sampling
• C. Cross-sectional design
• D. Representative sample

Answer: (A)

A sampling frame is the list of individuals from which the sample is drawn. It serves as the practical link between the population you want to study and the participants you actually select; the frame should closely resemble the population to avoid missing groups. If the frame omits people or is out of date, bias can occur because some members aren’t eligible to be chosen. Random sampling, on the other hand, is a method used to select from this frame, giving each member an equal chance of inclusion. A cross-sectional design describes when data are collected (at one point in time) rather than how the sample is selected. A representative sample refers to how well the selected sample mirrors the population, which depends on having a good frame and appropriate sampling methods, not the frame itself.