Which approach enhances the validity of survey results?

Choosing the approach that enhances the validity of survey results involves ensuring that the sample accurately reflects the broader population you intend to study. Random sampling from a relevant population helps to achieve this by providing every individual in that population an equal chance of being selected for the survey. This method minimizes selection bias, thereby allowing the findings to be generalized to the wider population.

When random sampling is employed, it helps ensure that the sample is representative, reducing the likelihood that the results will be skewed due to demographic or intrinsic characteristics of participants who might otherwise be overrepresented or underrepresented. This enhances the overall reliability of the survey conclusions.

In contrast, surveying only volunteers can lead to a self-selection bias; individuals who choose to participate may have different characteristics or opinions compared to those who do not choose to participate, making it hard to generalize the findings. Leading questions can also compromise the validity of survey results by steering respondents toward particular answers, rather than allowing them to express their true opinions. Conducting surveys in a non-systematic manner can further introduce randomness that does not contribute to a coherent or representative sample, ultimately undermining the research's validity.