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A random sample refers to a subset of individuals selected from a larger population. In a random sample, each individual has an equal chance of being selected, and the results can be generalized to the entire population being studied.

The respondents to this internet opinion poll do not represent a random sample of the opinions of purchasers or drinkers of Pepsi and Coke because: 1. Respondents are only those who have access to the internet and are aware of the web page, leading to a restricted pool of participants. 2. Participating in the poll requires taking an extra step by clicking on the "PAY CASH for your opinion" link, meaning that only individuals who are willing to take this extra step will be included in the sample. 3. This poll may attract only those who have strong preferences or opinions about one of the colas, creating a bias in the sample. Due to these factors, the respondents in this internet opinion poll do not have an equal chance of being selected, and the results may not accurately represent the opinions of all purchasers or drinkers of Pepsi and Coke.

There are several types of distortions that could creep into this Internet opinion poll: 1. Selection bias: Since participation is limited to those who have internet access, are aware of the web page, and are willing to click on the "PAY CASH for your opinion" link, the sample may be biased towards certain demographics, leading to skewed results. 2. Nonresponse bias: If a specific group of people is less likely to participate in the poll due to various reasons (e.g., lack of time, lack of interest, etc.), their opinions may not be adequately represented in the results. 3. Self-selection bias: Since individuals are choosing to participate in this poll, they may have stronger opinions regarding one of the colas than individuals who choose not to participate. This could lead to an overrepresentation of individuals with strong preferences. 4. Response distortion: Participants might not truthfully express their preferences due to social desirability bias (e.g., tendency to provide more socially acceptable answers) or misremembering their actual preferences. These distortions can compromise the validity of the poll results, making it difficult to accurately represent the opinions of all purchasers or drinkers of Pepsi and Coke.