I agree with your comments.
Early in my career, I was an independent marketing research specialist, conducting surveys, polls, and performing the statistical analysis for very large corporations
The greatest variable that is hardest to control is sample selection and trying to create a sample that reflects the target population. It is virtually impossible where there is a large population and a small sample.
As it relates to statistical probability, there is a truth that prevails, “Statistics don’t lie, but liars use statistics. “
After all, 92.3864% of all statistics are made up!