Table of contents

1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data55m
2. Describing Data with Tables and Graphs1h 55m
3. Describing Data Numerically1h 45m
4. Probability2h 16m
5. Binomial Distribution & Discrete Random Variables2h 33m
6. Normal Distribution and Continuous Random Variables1h 38m
7. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Mean1h 53m
8. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Proportion1h 12m
- Sampling Distribution of Sample Proportion
  29m
- Confidence Intervals for Population Proportion
  42m
9. Hypothesis Testing for One Sample2h 19m
10. Hypothesis Testing for Two Samples3h 22m
11. Correlation1h 6m
12. Regression1h 4m
13. Chi-Square Tests & Goodness of Fit1h 20m
14. ANOVA1h 0m

1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data

Intro to Collecting Data

Statistics

1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data

Intro to Collecting Data

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2:05 minutes

Problem 1.T.5a

Textbook Question

Determine whether the survey question is biased. If the question is biased, suggest a better wording.
How many hours of sleep do you get on a normal night?

Verified step by step guidance

Identify whether the question is leading or biased. In this case, the phrase 'on a normal night' may introduce bias because it assumes the respondent has a consistent sleep pattern, which might not be true for everyone.

Consider how the wording could influence the respondent's answer. For example, respondents might feel compelled to estimate their sleep based on what they perceive as 'normal,' rather than their actual sleep habits.

To reduce bias, rephrase the question to be more neutral and inclusive. For instance, you could ask, 'On average, how many hours of sleep do you get per night?' This removes the assumption of a 'normal night' and focuses on the respondent's overall sleep pattern.

Ensure the revised question is clear and easy to understand, avoiding any terms that might confuse or influence the respondent's answer.

Test the revised question with a small group to confirm that it is unbiased and elicits accurate responses before using it in a larger survey.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Survey Bias

Survey bias occurs when the wording of a question influences the responses, leading to inaccurate or skewed results. This can happen if the question is leading, ambiguous, or assumes certain behaviors. Understanding bias is crucial for designing effective surveys that yield reliable data.

Question Wording

The way a survey question is phrased can significantly impact how respondents interpret and answer it. Neutral wording is essential to avoid influencing the respondent's answer. For example, asking 'How many hours of sleep do you get on a normal night?' may imply a standard that not all respondents share.

Response Options

Providing clear and appropriate response options is vital for gathering accurate data. If a question lacks specific options or is too open-ended, it can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. A well-structured question should allow respondents to express their true experiences without ambiguity.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Determine whether the survey question is biased. If the question is biased, suggest a better wording.

How does the media influence the opinions of voters?

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Textbook Question

Determine whether the survey question is biased. If the question is biased, suggest a better wording.

How much do you exercise during an average week?

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Textbook Question

In Exercises 9 and 10, determine whether the study is an observational study or an experiment. Explain.

To study the effect of using digital devices in the classroom on exam performance, researchers divided 726 undergraduate students into three groups, including a group that was allowed to use digital devices, a group that had restricted access to tablets, and a control group that was “technologyfree.” (Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

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Textbook Question

Determine whether the study is an observational study or an experiment. Explain.

Researchers conduct a study to determine whether cataract surgery patients experience different comfort levels during their first and second surgeries. Researchers based their results on a verbal questionnaire. (Source: Medicine)

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Textbook Question

Determine whether the survey question is biased. If the question is biased, suggest a better wording.

Do you agree that the town’s ban on skateboarding in parks is unfair?

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Textbook Question

Identify the population and the sample. Describe the sample data set.

Eighty-three doctors working in the St. Louis area were surveyed concerning their opinions on health care reform.

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Textbook Question

Determine whether the study is an observational study or an experiment. Explain.

Researchers conduct a study to determine whether a medication based on fish oil known as omega-3 carboxylic acids is effective in reducing the risk of cardiac events in people already at risk. In the study, 13,078 patients are randomly chosen to receive either omega-3 carboxylic acids or a placebo of corn oil daily. Researchers compare the number of cardiac events of the two groups over similar follow-up periods of time. (Source: American Heart Association)

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Multiple Choice

A regional store manager wants to test whether increasing store hours increases profits, so they randomly select half of their locations to stay open an extra hour later in the evenings and compare profits between stores at the end of the month. They notice that stores open later saw higher profits on average. Is this an experiment or an observational study? Can they determine the extra hours caused the increase in sales?