When working with statistics or probability, you will see the expression "random sampling" implying a "selection chosen at random".

The concept of "randomness" implies that every item being considered has an equal chance of being selected as part of the sample.

There are several ways to create random samples.
Below are two examples appropriate for this level.

Example: Find the probability of selecting a student at random from a class of 28 students.

1. Place the names of the students on a slip of paper. Place the slips in a paper bag. Draw a slip from the bag without looking in the bag.
This is a simple means of drawing a student at random which will ensure that all of the students have an equal chance of being selected.

2. Assign each student a number from 1 to 28. Use a calculator to generate a "random" number from 1 to 28 to select a student.

Note: Most calculators cannot generate "truly" random numbers. They use a formula with a number seed to generate the numbers, which means that the list could potentially be repeated (making the list not truly random). Such pseudo-random number lists, however, will be sufficient for your investigations at the JrMath level.