Textbook Question
Identify the sampling technique used, and discuss potential sources of bias (if any). Explain.
Questioning university students as they leave a college cafeteria, a researcher asks 342 students about their eating habits.
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1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data
Sampling Methods
2:12 minutesProblem 1.CR.2
Textbook Question
In Exercises 1 and 2, identify the sampling technique used, and discuss potential sources of bias (if any). Explain.
Using random digit dialing, researchers asked 1090 U.S. adults their level of education.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the problem. The task is to identify the sampling technique used in the scenario and discuss potential sources of bias. The researchers used random digit dialing to survey 1090 U.S. adults about their level of education.
Step 2: Identify the sampling technique. Random digit dialing is a method of simple random sampling where phone numbers are randomly generated to contact participants. This ensures that every individual with a phone number has an equal chance of being selected.
Step 3: Evaluate the representativeness of the sample. Consider whether the sample accurately represents the population of U.S. adults. For example, individuals without access to a phone or those who do not answer calls from unknown numbers may be excluded, potentially introducing bias.
Step 4: Discuss potential sources of bias. Bias may arise if certain groups are underrepresented, such as individuals without phones, those who primarily use mobile phones (if landlines are targeted), or those who are less likely to answer calls due to privacy concerns.
Step 5: Reflect on the implications of bias. Explain how these biases could affect the results. For instance, the level of education reported might skew higher if individuals with lower education levels are less likely to participate in the survey.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Sampling Techniques
Sampling techniques refer to the methods used to select individuals from a population to participate in a study. Common techniques include random sampling, stratified sampling, and convenience sampling. Understanding these techniques is crucial for evaluating how representative the sample is of the overall population and the validity of the study's findings.
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Random Digit Dialing
Random digit dialing is a method used to select participants for surveys by generating random phone numbers. This technique aims to ensure that every individual in the target population has an equal chance of being selected, which helps reduce selection bias. However, it may still miss certain demographics, such as those without landlines or those who do not answer calls from unknown numbers.
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Sources of Bias
Sources of bias are factors that can lead to systematic errors in the results of a study. In the context of surveys, biases can arise from non-response bias, where certain groups do not participate, or from question wording that influences responses. Identifying potential biases is essential for interpreting the results accurately and understanding the limitations of the study.
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