Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Practice Exam

What characterizes mail surveys as a data collection method?

1. Minimal participant engagement

2. Time-consuming responses

3. Costly implementation

4. Use of random sampling selection

The correct answer is: Use of random sampling selection

Mail surveys are characterized by the use of random sampling selection, which is crucial for ensuring that the data collected is representative of the larger population. This method allows researchers to randomly select participants from a defined population, enhancing the validity and reliability of the results. When respondents are chosen randomly, it helps in reducing selection bias, thereby increasing the ability to generalize the findings to a broader audience. The capacity to incorporate random sampling allows for diverse demographic representation in the survey responses. This is particularly important in the context of recreation and leisure studies, where understanding the perspectives and experiences of different groups can inform better program development and policy-making. While mail surveys may also exhibit minimal participant engagement and can be perceived as time-consuming or costly, these factors do not define the method's fundamental characteristic in the context of data collection. The emphasis on random sampling reinforces the reliability and applicability of the data, making it a preferred method in various research scenarios, particularly in fields that require statistically valid insights from specific population segments.