Question

identify the correct and incorrect statements.

• it is impossible to collect a random sample.
• a sample refers to the group selected by a researcher to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population.
• it is possible to estimate the countrys opinion based on a small sample of 1,000 to 1,200 people.
• public-opinion surveys only tell you what the samples opinions are, without providing any insight into the general population.

Explanation:

Evaluate statements on scientific polling and sampling

• "It is possible to estimate the country's opinion based on a small sample of 1,000 to 1,200 people.": Correct. In scientific polling, a representative random sample of this size yields a reliable estimate of a large population with a standard margin of error (typically around \(\pm 3\%\)).
• "A sample refers to the group selected by a researcher to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population.": Correct. This is the fundamental definition of a representative sample in public opinion research.
• "It is impossible to collect a random sample.": Incorrect. While challenging, random sampling techniques (such as random-digit dialing or address-based sampling) are standard, achievable methods used by pollsters.
• "Public-opinion surveys only tell you what the sample's opinions are, without providing any insight into the general population.": Incorrect. The primary purpose of scientific polling is to use probability theory to generalize findings from a representative sample to the broader population.

Answer:

Correct Answer(s)

• It is possible to estimate the country's opinion based on a small sample of 1,000 to 1,200 people.
• A sample refers to the group selected by a researcher to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population.

Incorrect Answer(s)

• It is impossible to collect a random sample.
• Public-opinion surveys only tell you what the sample's opinions are, without providing any insight into the general population.