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Which of the following is a problem associated with straw polls? The automated polling system used in straw polls displays inaccurate data about the opinions of the people surveyed. Straw polls consider a sample poll of only 300 to 600 people. Opinions expressed in straw polls represent an atypical subgroup of the population. Straw polls lack the effectiveness and efficiency of Internet polling.

Ask by Morrison Olson. in the United States
Mar 10,2025

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Opinions in straw polls often come from a small or unrepresentative group, making them unreliable for understanding the broader population's views.

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1. **Identify the claim:** Straw polls are unofficial polls that often sample only a small or non-representative group of people. 2. **Examine each option:** - **Option A:** "The automated polling system used in straw polls displays inaccurate data about the opinions of the people surveyed." This option discusses an automated polling system, which is not the key issue usually associated with straw polls. - **Option B:** "Straw polls consider a sample poll of only 300 to 600 people." While it is true that a small sample size can be an issue in polls, the main problem with straw polls is less about exact numbers and more about the representativeness of the sample. - **Option C:** "Opinions expressed in straw polls represent an atypical subgroup of the population." This option directly addresses the primary concern: the opinions collected are not representative of the whole population. This is the central problem with using straw polls as a measure of public opinion. - **Option D:** "Straw polls lack the effectiveness and efficiency of Internet polling." This option compares straw polls with Internet polling, which is not the inherent problem of straw polls; it is more about their representativeness and reliability. 3. **Conclusion:** The fundamental problem with straw polls is that the opinions expressed represent an atypical subgroup of the population, leading to results that are not generalizable to the broader public. Thus, the correct answer is: \( \textbf{Opinions expressed in straw polls represent an atypical subgroup of the population.} \)

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One major issue with straw polls is that they often capture opinions from a very limited and self-selecting group. When only 300 to 600 people are surveyed, especially from specific demographics, the results can be skewed. This means they may not accurately reflect the broader population's views, leading to misleading conclusions. Another common pitfall is that the opinions expressed in straw polls can highlight an atypical subgroup of the population. For example, if a poll is conducted at a political rally, the responses may lean heavily towards supporters of that candidate, rather than portraying a balanced viewpoint across all constituents. This can create a distorted picture of public sentiment.

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