Question

What Percent of Young Adults Move Back in with Their Parents? The Pew Research Center polled a random sample of \(n=808\) US residents between the ages of 18 and 34 . Of those in the sample, \(24 \%\) had moved back in with their parents for economic reasons after living on their own. \(^{30}\) Do you think that this sample of 808 people is a representative sample of all US residents between the ages of 18 and 34 ? Why or why not?

Short answer

It's tough to definitively say if the sample of 808 people is a representative sample of all US residents between the ages of 18 and 34 without knowing the exact population size and the methodology of choosing the participants in the study. However, considering potential larger size and diverse nature of the population, it might not be perfectly representative despite being chosen at random.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Question

The question is about population representation in a sample. The Pew Center polled a sample size of 808 US residents between the ages of 18 to 34, out of which 24% felt they had to move back with their parents for economic reasons. It asks if this sample represents all US residents between ages 18 and 34.

Considering the Population Size

The total number of residents in US between ages 18 and 34 is certainly much larger than 808. So the sample size is quite small in comparison with the population size that it is intended to represent.

Considering the Sampling Method

The method of sampling is crucial in judging the representativeness. If the sample group is chosen at random from all over the United States, covering diverse socio-economic regions and backgrounds, it may manage to give a fair representation of the whole population despite its small size.

Reflecting on the Result

Although the percentage (24%) gives us some information, the interpretation whether it represents the entire population depends deeply on the randomness and diversification of the selected cohort and if it covered the heterogeneity in the population. However, considering the potential size and diverse nature of the population, more specifics about the sampling method and a larger sample size might be needed to conclusively say if it is truly representative or not.