Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Practice Exam

The term that best fits the description of selecting a portion of the population for a study is "sample." In research methodology, a sample is a subset of a larger population, chosen to represent that population in order to make inferences about its characteristics or behaviors without having to study the entire group.

The concept of a sample is fundamental to various types of research, as it allows for more practical and manageable data collection while still aiming to achieve accurate and reliable results that can be generalized to the broader population. When a researcher identifies a sample, they typically outline specific criteria to ensure that the sample adequately reflects the population from which it is drawn.

In contrast, the other options represent specific techniques related to how samples might be chosen. Random sampling refers to the process of selecting individuals from the population entirely by chance, ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity of being selected. Purposive sampling involves selecting individuals based on particular characteristics or qualities, and systematic sampling entails selecting individuals based on a fixed, predetermined interval within a population list. While all of these methods involve samples, the term "sample" alone accurately captures just the idea of selecting a portion of the population for study.