A polling company surveys 200 people outside a county courthouse concerning tighter restrictions on smoking in public buildings. Their results indicate that 34% of those surveyed favor tighter restrictions. The actual proportion of county residents who favor tighter restrictions is 65%. The difference is most likely due to:
A) variability in sampling.
B) bias due to the use of a convenience sample.
C) confounding variables in the survey.
D) the wording of the survey.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The use of a convenience sample, or a sample of individuals who are easily accessible or available, can introduce bias into the survey results. The people surveyed outside a courthouse may not be representative of the larger population, leading to a difference between the survey results and the actual proportion of county residents who favor tighter restrictions.

A Polling Company Surveys 200 People Outside a County Courthouse