Final answer:
Professional status in survey teams is defined by organizations and federal law, requiring expertise and ethical research practices. Professionals are distinguished by their training, experience, and adherence to guidelines that ensure accurate and ethical data collection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The determination of what constitutes a professional in the context of a Survey Team is typically established by professional organizations, such as the American Statistical Association, and is backed by federal regulations governing the use of research data. Furthermore, in the realm of polling or surveying, a professional is often considered someone with the requisite expertise and training, such as statisticians and methodologists, skilled in the design, execution, and analysis of surveys. These individuals understand how to construct a random and representative sample and are adept at crafting questions that elicit useful and accurate information. Professionalism in this context could also be influenced by academia, where 'human subject' committees ensure that research involving sensitive information adheres to ethical standards.
In fields such as politics and academia, the professionalism of individuals such as state legislators is also measured by factors like salary, staff resources, and session duration, as highlighted by political scientist Peverill Squire. Moreover, individuals providing testimony or opinions in any field must be evaluated to determine their expertise, bias, and whether their views align with the consensus among experts. The importance of these criteria underscores the need to distinguish between professional research and informal polling often seen in college environments or daily life.