1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data
Intro to Stats
2:56 minutesProblem 1.1.9
Textbook Question
In Exercises 9–12, determine whether the sampling method appears to be sound or is flawed.
Nuclear Power Plants In a survey of 1368 subjects, the following question was posted on the USA Today website: “In your view, are nuclear plants safe?” The survey subjects were Internet users who chose to respond to the question posted on the electronic edition of USA Today.
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Identify the type of sampling method used in the survey. In this case, the survey was conducted online, where participants chose to respond voluntarily. This is known as a voluntary response sample.
Evaluate the representativeness of the sample. Consider whether the sample of Internet users who chose to respond is representative of the general population's views on nuclear plant safety.
Consider potential biases. Voluntary response samples often suffer from self-selection bias, where individuals with strong opinions are more likely to participate, potentially skewing the results.
Assess the reliability of the survey results. Due to the self-selection bias and lack of random sampling, the results may not accurately reflect the views of the broader population.
Conclude whether the sampling method is sound or flawed. Given the voluntary nature and potential biases, the sampling method appears to be flawed for making generalizations about the population's views on nuclear plant safety.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Sampling Method
The sampling method refers to the process used to select individuals from the population to participate in a survey. A sound sampling method should ensure that the sample is representative of the entire population, minimizing bias. In this case, the method involves self-selection by Internet users, which may not accurately reflect the views of the general population.
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Self-Selection Bias
Self-selection bias occurs when individuals select themselves to participate in a survey, leading to a non-random sample. This can result in a sample that is not representative of the broader population, as those who choose to respond may have different opinions or characteristics than those who do not. In the given survey, only those who visited the USA Today website and chose to respond are included, potentially skewing the results.
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Representativeness
Representativeness is the degree to which a sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the population from which it is drawn. A representative sample allows for generalizations about the population. In this scenario, the sample may lack representativeness due to the limited demographic of Internet users who visit the USA Today website and opt to participate, which may not mirror the views of the entire population on nuclear plant safety.
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