Question

Breaking down Brown versus Whitman: Example 2 of the chapter 1 discusses an exit poll taken during the 2010 California gubernatorial election. The administrators of the poll also collected demographic data, which allows for further breakdown of the 3889 voters from whom information was collected. Of the 1633 voters registered as Democrats, 91% voted for Brown, with a margin of error of 1.4%. Of the 1206 voters registered as Republicans, 10% voted for Brown, with a margin of error of 1.7%. And of the 1050 Independent voters, 42% voted for Brown, with a margin of error of 3.0%.

Required:
a. Do these results summarize sample data or population data?
b. Identify a descriptive aspect of the results.
c. Identify an inferential aspect of the results.

Answer 1

(A) Population data

(B) The figures

(C) The classification of votes by political party

Explanation:

(A) These results summarize population data. The population is the total 3,889 voters from whom information was collected.

The samples would be

- Voters registered as Democrats (1,633)

- Voters registered as Republicans (1,206)

- Independent Voters (1,050)

The total of members in each sample equals the total number of people in the population.

(B) A descriptive aspect of the result is the figures or percentages. They describe how (in percentage) voters penned their votes for Brown and how they penned their votes for Whitman. NOTE: To get the percentage or fraction of those who voted for Whitman, simply subtract the percentage of Brown's supporters from a total of 100%.

(C) An inferential aspect of the results is the classification of votes by different parties (the samples are the different parties involved here). This helps to infer the sources of support for Brown and the sources of support for Whitman.

For example, if the total votes for Brown (in population result analysis) are low, the Republicans are the major reason why!