Final answer:
The sampled population is U.S. adults age 50 and older surveyed about issues important in their voting decisions during the 2012 presidential election. Sampling methodologies like these aim to create a representative sample that accurately reflects the broader population without significant bias.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sampled population for the study mentioned is U.S. adults age 50 and older. This population was surveyed to determine how significant various issues were when choosing a candidate to vote for in the 2012 presidential election.
Sampling is when researchers survey a small sector of the population or a sample, to gather data that is intended to represent the larger population. The effectiveness of the study largely depends on how well this sample represents the target population. When a random sample is used, every person within the population has an equal chance of being selected, thereby increasing the likelihood that the sample is representative of the larger group. In order for the findings from such a sample to be generalizable to the whole population, it's crucial that the sample does not possess a significant selection bias. For example, relying solely on landline telephone surveys could lead to a biassed sample, as certain demographics like younger or tech-savvy individuals are less likely to use landlines.