Quota sampling category targets – UGC NET Question

Quota sampling involves specifying how many respondents are needed from particular categories of a population, such as a fixed number of males and females or urban and rural residents, and then selecting conveniently available individuals until each quota is filled. It ensures some representation of key groups but does not use random selection. Because selection within categories is left to interviewer judgment or convenience, it is considered a non-probability method. Therefore, the technique described is correctly termed quota sampling.

Option A:
Quota sampling can approximate the distribution of important characteristics in the population, but results may still be biased because individuals within quotas are not randomly chosen. Interviewers might select more cooperative or accessible respondents. These features correspond to the stem’s focus on filling predetermined category numbers, making this option correct.

Option B:
Cluster sampling selects intact groups such as schools or villages, usually with random methods, rather than filling category counts with conveniently chosen individuals.

Option C:
Simple random sampling gives every individual an equal chance of selection by random procedures and does not involve non-random filling of predetermined quotas.

Option D:
Purposive sampling selects information-rich cases based on researcher judgment rather than meeting numerical targets for categories, so it is conceptually different from quota methods.