Final answer:
A survey conducted with approximately 1,500 participants is often sufficient for accurate public opinion polling, with random sampling being critical for representativeness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surveys conducted with 1,500 people are generally considered sufficient for accurately measuring public opinion, as this typically leads to a sampling error of approximately 2.6 percent. This margin of error is usually regarded as acceptable in public opinion polling. Organizations vary in the sample size that they use – some use as few as 500 and some go up to 2,500 or more to ensure a more accurate representation. The success of a survey in representing the overall population hin_ges on the proper use of random sampling, which gives each individual in the target population an equal chance of being selected. A larger sample does tend to reduce the margin of error, but beyond a certain threshold, the cost might outweigh the benefits, as increases in accuracy become minor.