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June 05, 2009

Comments

If the reporters had simply cribbed from Gallop's accurate write-up, they would have avoided the error pointed out by Brendan.

In fact, the total uncertainty is even greater than the figure reported as "margin of error." That figure represents sampling error. As Gallop points out, "In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls."

Can't ABC hire an undergrad stats major to be an intern or something?

Sure they could, but that would have just killed an easy story. Why would they want to do that?

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