Sandy is analyzing the median square footage of single-family homes. What type of sample does she refer to for this data?

In the context of analyzing the median square footage of single-family homes, referencing a random sample indicates that Sandy has selected homes in such a manner that each home in the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample. This method is crucial in statistical analysis as it helps to eliminate selection bias and ensures that the sample is representative of the larger population.

By using a random sample, Sandy can more confidently generalize her findings regarding the median square footage of single-family homes to the overall market. If she were to use other sampling methods, such as a stratified sample that focuses on certain subgroups or a systematic sample that follows a specific pattern, the results may not accurately reflect the variations in square footage across the entire population of single-family homes. Thus, the random sampling technique is essential for ensuring valid and reliable data in this type of analysis.