Final answer:
The adviser should create a random and representative sample from the population of registered voters likely to vote, using methods like phone calls or online surveys to quickly collect the data. A sample size of 1,000-2,000 individuals is common for national polls. Statistical methods would be applied to determine the margin of error and confidence interval for the poll results.
Step-by-step explanation:
To provide the presidential candidate with useful data on the percentage of registered voters who would vote for him, the adviser should conduct a scientific poll. A scientific poll requires identifying the population of interest, which in this case is registered voters who are likely to vote in the upcoming election. The adviser must then use a sampling technique that ensures a random and representative sample of the population. This could involve using voter registration databases to randomly select individuals across different demographics and regions to mirror the diversity of the country's electorate.
Once the sample size is determined, which in polling often ranges from 1,000-2,000 individuals for national-level data, the adviser should choose a method of contacting respondents that allows for quick and accurate data collection. This could include phone calls, online surveys, or a combination of both. To ensure the results are ready in 3 days, the adviser would need an efficient data collection and analysis system in place.
Finally, applying statistical methods, the adviser should calculate the margin of error and the confidence interval to understand the precision and reliability of the poll results. For instance, a 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points would mean that if 40 percent of the sample indicates support for the candidate, the true percentage of support would likely fall between 37 percent and 43 percent.