Final answer:
A small group taken from a population to determine public opinion is called a sample, which should be random and representative to accurately reflect the larger population's views.
Step-by-step explanation:
A small group of people taken from a population used to determine public opinion is called a sample. This sample is a smaller part representative of the entire population, and it enables researchers to conduct surveys or polls to gauge public opinion on a variety of topics such as elections, policy matters, or social issues. A successful survey depends on how well the sample represents the population and is typically conducted using random sampling methods. In order to ensure the accuracy of the results, the sample should be random, meaning every person in the entire population has an equal chance of being selected, and representative, reflecting the demographic distribution of the population as a whole.