Question

Selection for jury duty is supposed to be a totally random process. Comment on the following computer selection procedures, and determine if they are indeed random:

a. A program instructs the computer to scan the list of names and pick names that were next to those from the last scan.

b. Three-digit numbers are randomly generated to select jurors from a list of licensed drivers. If the weight information listed on the license matches the random number, the person is selected.

c. The juror source list is obtained by merging a list of registered voters with a list of licensed drivers.

Answer 1

Random process of selection means all in the designated list are considered equally eligible for selection with no bias and condition.

a. In this there is a condition for selection i.e. the program instructs the computer to pick names that were next to those from the last scan. The scanning process therefore effectively excludes other names. Hence, this is not a pure random process of selection.

b. In this process also there is a condition wherein weight is a criteria for selection. The statement does not explicitly states weight of what i.e. a person cannot be expected to weigh in three digits in the normal course. So which weight is being referred to? If this pertains to vehicle weight then also it is not a pure random process of selection as it excludes weights which are more than three digits. Besides, the list contains only licensed drivers and excludes all others from being selected.

c. This is a true random process of selection where all registered voters and licensed drivers are equally considered eligible to be selected through the random process without any condition or criteria.