Question

In Exercises 9–12, determine whether the sampling method appears to be sound or is flawed.

Smartphone Usage In a survey of smartphone ownership, the Pew Research Center randomly selected 1006 adults in the United States.

Short answer

The sampling method appears to be sound.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The Pew Research Center studied smartphone usage using 1006 randomly selected adults in the United States.

Step 2:Explanation of sampling method

In the United States, the research was based on all smartphone owners. The center, however, randomly selected only 1006 adults from the population.

Step 3:Analysis of biasedness based on the sample

When samples are collected in a manner that they are non-biased and represent the population appropriately, the sampling method can be trusted for providing accurate observations.

In this case, the survey selected the experimental units (owners of smartphones) in a clear random way. Also, the organization is a reliable research center.

As a result, the outcomes of the observations are expected to be accurate and reliable.

Thus, the sampling method appears to be without flaws.