Question 1

Sometimes questions are worded in such a way that the meaning is misinterpreted by a large percentage of the respondents. Which of the following types of bias would be most likely to be produced?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sometimes questions are worded in such a...

Question 2

Consider the following survey question: "Do you agree that the alcohol industry should be banned from targeting the teenage girls in their advertising?" Which of the following types of bias is this question an example of?

Accepted Answer

This question is an example of intentional bias because it is phrased in a way that suggests a particular viewpoint or answer, leading respondents towards a specific response about the alcohol industry's advertising practices.

Question 3

Consider the following survey question: "Shouldn't federal funding not be reduced for HIV awareness programs, since many in U.S. misunderstand the information about an HIV vaccine?" Which of the following types of bias is this question an example of?

Accepted Answer

The question is an example of unnecessary complexity because it uses double negatives ("Shouldn't" and "not be reduced") and introduces an unrelated premise about an HIV vaccine, making it difficult for respondents to understand what is being asked.

Question 4

Two polls were conducted to determine how much support there was for public funding of private schools. However, the results from the two polls were contradictory. One poll asked whether "students should attend private school at public expense". The other poll asked "How much do you support providing parents with the option of sending their children to the school of their choice - either public, private or parochial - rather than only to the school to which they are assigned?" Explain why the wording of the questions may have affected the results.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Two polls were conducted to determine how...

Question 5

Reword the following survey question so that it is less confusing. "Do you disagree with the policy of not allowing first year students parking permits on campus?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reword the following survey question so that...

Question 6

The following statement that was provided as part of the fine print at the end of the reported results of a survey: "In addition to sampling error, question wording in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls." What is the type of bias being referred to here?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The following statement that was provided as...

Question 7

Explain the difference between an open question and a closed question.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between an open question...

Question 8

The biggest problem with open questions is that the results can be difficult to summarize. If closed-form questions are preferred, explain how a pilot survey might be used to better formulate the closed-form questions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The biggest problem with open questions is...

Question 9

For a short mid-term survey of his students, a Graduate Student Instructor has put four questions on a piece of paper. He is planning to hand these out this afternoon. The last two questions are: (1) "What grade do you think you are getting in the course?" and (2) "What grade would you give the instructor so far?" Both questions can be answered with A, B, C, D, or F. What is a potential problem with these questions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of For a short mid-term survey of his...

Quiz 5: Sampling: Surveys and How to Ask Questions