Final answer:
The question focuses on the Social Studies field of educational sociology, where Dr. Merikesh aims to analyze third-grade students' responses to substitute teachers using a representative sample of 250 individuals. The principle of selecting an unbiased and representative sample is critical in extrapolating findings to a broader group, as exemplified by other sample scenarios from various studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. Merikesh's interest in how third-grade students respond to substitute teachers is a research topic within the field of Social Studies, specifically educational sociology. The study involves 250 third-graders as a sample, representing a larger group which Dr. Merikesh aims to understand. This draws parallels with methodologies used in statistics for gathering representative samples in various scenarios, such as analyzing attitudes of algebra students in a city, teachers' perceptions after a seminar, or undergraduates' tuition fees.
By choosing an appropriate sample size, like the 250 third-graders, researchers can extrapolate their findings to the broader population, assuming the sample is unbiased. This unbiased representation is crucial to ensure that the results reflect a variety of backgrounds, akin to including students from different socio-economic status and regions, much like the administrative assistant surveying the first 100 students he meets. The importance of representative sampling is further emphasized by the need to interpret survey results accurately, as shown in the examples of part-time student populations and students' exercise habits.
Understanding the nuances of sampling and representation is essential for drawing accurate conclusions from research studies, as well as for ensuring that the sample accurately reflects the larger population's characteristics.