Question

identify the correct and incorrect statements.

correct answer(s)
drag appropriate answer(s) here

• it is impossible to collect a random sample.
• 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.
• a sample refers to the group selected by a researcher to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population.

Explanation:

Evaluate statements on scientific polling and sampling

• "It is impossible to collect a random sample": Incorrect. Random digit dialing and other probability sampling methods allow researchers to obtain random samples.
• "It is possible to estimate the country's opinion based on a small sample of 1,000 to 1,200 people": Correct. Standard scientific polls use samples of this size to estimate national opinion within a small margin of error (typically \(\pm 3\%\)).
• "Public-opinion surveys only tell you what the sample's opinions are, without providing any insight into the general population": Incorrect. Through probability theory, a representative sample provides highly accurate estimates of the broader population's opinions.
• "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 social science research.

Answer:

• It is impossible to collect a random sample.
• It is possible to estimate the country's opinion based on a small sample of 1,000 to 1,200 people. (Correct answer)
• Public-opinion surveys only tell you what the sample's opinions are, without providing any insight into the general population.
• A sample refers to the group selected by a researcher to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population. (Correct answer)