Opportunity sampling is best described as?

Opportunity sampling is accurately described as sampling from people who are around and available. This method involves selecting individuals who are easily accessible in a given environment at the time of data collection. Researchers often use opportunity sampling due to its convenience and efficiency, as it allows for quick gathering of data without the need for complex recruitment processes.

In practical terms, this might mean approaching people in a public location, like a shopping mall, classroom, or office, who are present and willing to participate. This approach can be particularly useful for exploratory research or when time and resources are limited, though it may introduce bias because the sample may not be representative of the larger population.

The other options focus on aspects of sampling that do not align with the definition of opportunity sampling. For instance, selecting participants regardless of availability does not reflect the essence of opportunity sampling, which is based specifically on the availability of individuals at a given moment. Similarly, taking samples only from volunteers is distinct from opportunity sampling, as the latter does not require participants to volunteer but rather to be available and willing to partake. Lastly, the concept of random selection implies a level of randomness in choosing participants that is not characteristic of opportunity sampling, which is inherently based on the convenience of who is present at the time of