Final answer:
The surveyed population in the New Mexico lawmakers' survey with 160 randomly selected individuals is representative of the New Mexico population, as the sample was chosen from this specific state.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the survey conducted by New Mexico lawmakers with 160 randomly selected individuals, the surveyed population is representative of option b) New Mexico population. This is because the sample was selected from the state of New Mexico, rather than from the entire United States, the global population, or a specific age group. The concept of a random sample is important as it implies that every person in the population has an equal chance of being chosen. This allows the results from the sample to be generalized to the larger population. However, to have a representative sample, researchers need to ensure that the demographic distribution of the sample mirrors that of the population it's meant to represent.
Without additional context or information indicating otherwise, the survey likely aimed to reflect the opinions or characteristics of the New Mexico population. Whether this survey can accurately speak for the entire U.S. or global population would depend on how closely the demographics of the sample match those larger populations, which is typically not the case for state-level surveys. The success of such a survey in representing a population adequately can be affected by factors such as whether all demographic and ethnic groups are equally represented and whether the sampling method accounts for potential sources of bias, such as regional biases introduced through varying modes of contact like landlines and cell phones.