Final answer:
A stratified sample is crucial for Nielsen Media Research television program ratings to ensure a representative sample of different viewer demographics, reflecting accurate viewing habits for reliable television ratings.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is important to have a stratified sample for Nielsen Media Research television program ratings because it ensures a representative sample of viewers. In stratified sampling, the population is divided into subgroups, called strata, such as age brackets, regions, or income levels, which are then sampled proportionally. This method helps to accurately reflect the diverse viewing habits across different segments of the population, which is vital for reliable ratings that television networks and advertisers can use to make informed decisions.
For example, approach (a) described in the question, illustrates the use of a stratified sampling strategy. In this approach, the soccer coach is dividing the players into predefined age groups and then selecting players from each group. This method is ensuring that all age groups are fairly represented on the soccer team.