The Pros And Cons Of Random Sampling

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Random sampling is when every individual has the same chance of being chosen as a representative in a poll or census. Currently the best system for random sampling is “random digit dialing”. Machines randomly generate list of ten digit phone numbers, resident or cellular. Pollsters use these numbers to contact citizens who are willing to be surveyed. This is the most accurate random sampling system because most citizens have either a land line or cell phone and pollsters are able to easily reach citizens from all around the United States with ease. Unfortunately this system is still has flaws. When questions are asked differently or with bias it can affect the responses and outcome of the survey. In many cases people feel uncomfortable with being surveyed and use caller id and voice mail to avoid pollsters. …show more content…
Sampling can go wrong in several was such as selection bias, push polling, wording or manipulation of questions, and questions which answers could be called “politically incorrect”. When sampling is done incorrectly it can have several effects. In elections, like the presidential elections we are currently witnessing, groups rely on polling to tell the area of the country do and do not support there candidate. These result effect what states candidates spend their time campaigning in and what topics they may spend more time addressing during debates. When this information in wrong candidates may lose the opportunity to influence a large number of voters. The bandwagon effect is another result of incorrect polling data. When people believe the majority feels a certain way instead of forming their own opinion they may fallow what they are being told. This can effect elections by leading people to believe a certain candidate is a favorite to win and often leads to that candidate receiving more funding for their