In recent years, the number of people who use the Internet to obtain political news has grown.

Question:

Often the political websites ask Internet users to register their opinions by participating in online surveys. Pew Research Center conducted a survey of its own to learn about the participation of Republicans and Democrats in online surveys (Associated Press, January 6, 2003). The following sample data apply

a. Compute the point estimate of the proportion of Republicans who indicate they would participate in online surveys. Compute the point estimate for the Democrats.
b. What is the point estimate of the difference between the two population proportions?
c. At 95% confidence, what is the margin of error?
d. Representatives of the scientific polling industry claim that the profusion of online surveys can confuse people about actual public opinion. Do you agree with this statement?
Use the 95% confidence interval estimate of the difference between the Republican and Democrat population proportions to help justify your answer.