Do samples provide better results than surveys? Give reasons for your answer.
Yes, samples provide better results than complete surveys (census) in many situations. There are several reasons for this preference.
First, a sample can provide reasonably reliable and accurate information at a lower cost. Since we study only a portion of the population, the financial resources required are significantly less compared to conducting a complete survey of the entire population.
Second, samples save time. Collecting data from a smaller group takes much less time than surveying the entire population. This allows for quicker analysis and decision-making.
Third, as samples are smaller than the population, more detailed information can be collected by conducting intensive enquiries. Researchers can ask more in-depth questions and gather comprehensive data from each respondent, which would not be feasible in a large-scale survey.
Fourth, since we need a smaller team of enumerators, it is easier to train them and supervise their work more effectively. This leads to better quality of data collection and reduces errors in the survey process.
Therefore, samples are preferred in statistics for practical reasons of cost, time, detail, and manageability.
Explanation
The question asks whether samples provide better results than surveys. Based on the textbook context, most surveys are sample surveys, and samples are preferred in statistics for several reasons: (1) Lower cost - samples provide reliable information at lower cost, (2) Shorter time - collecting data from smaller groups takes less time, (3) More detailed information - intensive enquiries can be conducted on smaller samples, (4) Better supervision - smaller teams of enumerators are easier to train and supervise effectively.