When is a Generalization Good?

In section C of Chapter 14 Epstein discusses when it is ok and when it is not ok to make a generalization. An example that the book gives when it is not ok to make a generalization is in a classroom setting. A teacher makes the statement that there are a few Chinese students in the class and they are all hard working and get great grades. Then the teacher says that they suppose that all Chinese are like that. The group size is way too small to make such a great generalization like this one. This is one way stereotypes are created. The larger the sample sizes the better chances you have of making a good generalization about something or someone. The book tells us that often you can rely on common sense when it comes to smaller numbers. The book also tells us that when evaluating statistical generalizations, you have to assume that the people doing the sampling have looked at enough examples which is pretty much a sure thing when you are dealing with a well know organization or company.