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> according to a survey of 300 iPhone buyers by technology-analysis firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners

Is 300 the right sample size? I recall reading that Apple sells over 500 iPhones every minute (on average), so I wonder if such a small sample is appropriate here.

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It really depends on the sampling characteristics and the observed population distribution. If iPhone buyers are very consistent and follow a normal distribution, it could be ok.

They don't even need to follow a normal distribution; the central limit theorem will apply to most naturally-occurring distributions.

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