In 1936, the news magazine Literary Digest obtained the opinions of over two million Americans regarding the presidential election. The results suggested that Landon would win in a landslide over Franklin D. Roosevelt. A few weeks later, FDR won in a landslide. The results of the survey were not valid, and this was due to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sample used in the survey was unrepresentative, as it included only people who were wealthier and more likely to own a telephone (the primary method of contact for the survey at the time). The results were therefore biased and not reflective of the larger population's opinions.

In 1936, the News Magazine Literary Digest Obtained the Opinions