How can a sample of only 800 or 1,200 truly reflect the opinions of 200 million Americans within a few percentage points?
2007-03-15 07:16:00 · 15 answers · asked by jsm2779 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
It can, but only if you and I are included in the sample. Otherwise, it's null and void. That's right up there with "What about the 5th dentist?"
2007-03-15 07:27:29 · answer #1 · answered by Pretending To Work 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well depending on who the sample group is made up of, you could get decent results. The hard part is finding a varied enough group to reflect the overall masses. For example, you wouldn't get your whole group from Texas if you wanted to do a study on politics.
2007-03-15 14:20:01 · answer #2 · answered by Christabelle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
bcuz there are certain categories and groups of people who share the same veiws and it is impossible to create stastistics taking into consideration each individual veiw, therefore it is tried, rather, to compose a group of 800 or 1200 to reflect the veiws of the 200 million Americans most accurately.
2007-03-15 14:19:54 · answer #3 · answered by wildchild47236 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Something about sample size and the bell curve.
2007-03-15 14:18:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good Question but will you get enough answers to have an accurate idea?
2007-03-15 14:19:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking about the Pepsi Challenge
2007-03-15 14:18:28 · answer #6 · answered by Rocky The Fearless 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
it all depends what the samplers want the outcome to be.
2007-03-15 14:19:38 · answer #7 · answered by rob c 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it can't.
just blame that backwards knowledge on the all-knowing president double-yuh bush
2007-03-15 14:19:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
that is a really good question i really do not know that answer.
2007-03-15 14:20:50 · answer #9 · answered by xGoldScorpionx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
law of averages
2007-03-15 14:19:18 · answer #10 · answered by ♠ Merlin ♠ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋