ABSTRACT
A random sample can be as simple and low-tech as putting names on slips of paper, and drawing them from a hat. The researcher uses the random numbers generated or the table of random numbers to make a selection. For instance, when an online random number generator is used, the researcher can set parameters such that the randomizer will make a random selection of numbers from the total number in the population. One method of sampling that many researchers regard as being essentially equivalent to simple random sampling is systematic sampling. Random numbers tables are literally tables of numbers that are unrelated to each other or to anything else. Until computerized tools became available, researchers relied on published books of random numbers tables. For instance, quite by chance a random sample might contain a disproportionately large number of males, high achievers, and so on.
