Evaluate the Argument Page 457 #1

[jmaclan01]

Hi

I see the reasoning as to why answer choice B is correct but I was hoping to get clarification for answer choice C. I applied the variance test and let's say the newspaper has 10 million readers. Would a survey of 1000 readers (.01% of the newspaper's readers) really be indicative of the influence on "a great number of readers". Maybe I'm having trouble evaluating what "a great number of this newspaper's readers" should mean?

[Dave Killoran]

Hi J,

Thanks for the question. If I'm not mistaken, it seems like your concern is more about the size of the survey, especially as it relates to the overall readership. As mentioned elsewhere in the book, LSAC considers surveys to be valid (as long as they were conducted properly) and to accurately reflect overall views. 1000 people is a decent sized survey on its own, and, as such, the results would be considered indicative of the general views of the overall readership. Thus, if a large portion of the 1000 surveyed (let's say 25%) noted that 1984 was the most influential book that would then be expected to roughly translate to the overall readership (so about 2.5 million in your example). Thus, it doesn't actually matter how many actual readers of the newspaper exist--the survey results will still hold because the survey reflects the general beliefs.

Does that answer your question? Please let me know. Thanks!

[jmaclan01]

Hi David,

I appreciate the quick response! Yes, your response cleared that up for me. Thank you!