Question

to estimate the percentage of a states voters who support the current governor for reelection, three newspapers each survey a simple random sample of voters. each paper calculates the percentage of voters in its sample who support the governor and uses that as an estimate for the population parameter. here are the results:

• the tribune: n = 900 voters sampled, sample estimate = 73%
• the herald: n = 700 voters sampled, sample estimate = 69%
• the times: n = 500 voters sampled, sample estimate = 83%

all else being equal, which newspapers estimate is likely to be closest to the actual percentage of voters who support the governor for reelection?
a. the times, at 83%
b. the herald, at 69%
c. the tribune, at 73%

Explanation:

In sampling, larger simple random samples have smaller sampling error, so estimates are closer to the population parameter. The Tribune has the largest sample size (900 voters).

Answer:

C. The Tribune, at 73%