• FontMasterFlex@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    The sample size for these surveys is FAR FAR too small to be able to come to the conclusion you can write such a sensationalist headline like “MOST US VOTERS” anything.

    • WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      As long as your sample represents an even cross-section of the population then it can be quite small, just about one order of magnitude larger than the result you’re reporting. For instance, if you’re reporting a percentage (i.e. a result out of 100) then you only need to poll about 1000 people, since cutting off one decimal place will be enough to account for any weird clustering in your sample. The total population being represented doesn’t matter; as long as your sample is truly chosen at random then all that matters is the sample size relative to the precision of the result.

      • FontMasterFlex@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        The sample size was 1229 people for this “survey”. With something as polarizing as this subject is, I HIGHLY doubt that 1200 people accurately reflect the attitude of the ENTIRE country. but think what you want, free country and all.

        • Wogi@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          1200 is a little light but not outside the norm. 1500-3000 participants is bog standard for a population the size of the US. Much more is really overkill and a waste of money. You really are popping a blood vessel over the last decimal point of accuracy.

          • FontMasterFlex@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            jfc, no one is ‘popping a blood vessel’. if I call 3000 people in the US South, I’m going to get a far different opinion on something than if i call 3000 people in the Pac NW.