A group of college students is conducting a survey to determine how many citizens own dogs. Should they poll every citizen or use random selection to complete their survey?
To determine how many citizens own dogs, it would be more practical to use random selection to complete the survey rather than polling every citizen. Polling every citizen would be highly time-consuming, resource-intensive, and may not be feasible depending on the size of the population.
Using random selection, also known as sampling, allows the researchers to collect data from a smaller representative group and make reasonable assumptions about the larger population. By ensuring that the randomly selected group is diverse and reflects the demographics of the population, the survey results can be extrapolated and generalized with a certain degree of confidence.
Random selection also helps in reducing biases that may arise from selecting individuals selectively or based on convenience. It provides a fair chance for every citizen to be included in the survey, which increases the validity and reliability of the results.
However, the sample size should be sufficiently large to ensure accuracy. Determining an appropriate sample size will depend on factors such as the population size, desired confidence level, margin of error, and the specific statistical techniques being employed. Consulting with a statistician or conducting a power analysis can help in determining an appropriate sample size for the survey.