A researcher needs a sample of students at a university. The researcher first separates the students by academic area and then independently samples each of these groups. Which sampling method is being used?

Quota sampling involves selecting a specific number of participants from different subgroups to meet a predefined quota. Unlike stratified sampling, which randomly samples from each stratum, quota sampling does not ensure that each subgroup is represented proportionally and may introduce bias based on the researcher's choices.

Judgment sampling relies on the researcher's subjective assessment to select individuals who are believed to be representative of the population. This method lacks the systematic approach of stratified sampling, as it does not involve dividing the population into strata or randomly selecting individuals from each group, which can lead to unintentional biases.

Convenience sampling involves selecting participants based on their availability and ease of access, rather than a structured approach to ensure representation across subgroups. This method does not account for the distinct characteristics of academic areas, resulting in a sample that may not accurately reflect the entire student population.