/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 14 The survey design is flawed. (a)... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

The survey design is flawed. (a) Determine whether the flaw is due to the sampling method or the survey itself For flawed surveys, identify the cause of the error (wording of question, nonresponse, and so forth). (b) Suggest a remedy to the problem. Suppose you are conducting a survey regarding students' study habits. From a list of full-time registered students, you obtain a simple random sample of 90 students. One survey question is "How many hours do you study?"

Short Answer

Expert verified
The flaw lies in the survey question due to lack of specificity. Modify the question to clarify the context and time frame.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Method

Analyze the sampling method used to gather data. In this case, a simple random sample of 90 students from a list of full-time registered students was obtained. This method should ideally provide an unbiased representation of the population.
02

Examine the Survey Question

Look at the specific survey question asked: 'How many hours do you study?' Consider potential issues with this question, such as ambiguity or lack of specificity.
03

Determine the Flaw

Decide if the flaw lies in the sampling method or the survey itself. In this case, the sampling method is appropriate. The flaw is in the survey question since it is too general and may not provide accurate information.
04

Identify the Cause of Error

Identify the cause of the error in the survey question. One potential error is lack of specificity. The term 'study' can be interpreted differently by different students, leading to varied and possibly inaccurate responses.
05

Suggest a Remedy

To remedy the problem, modify the survey question to be more specific. For example, ask 'How many hours do you study for your courses each week?' This clarifies the time frame and context of the question, reducing ambiguity.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Sampling Method
To begin with, the sampling method is a critical aspect of survey design. It determines how you select participants for your survey. In this particular case, a simple random sample of 90 students from a list of full-time registered students was obtained.
This technique is sound because it ensures that every student has an equal chance of being selected. Therefore, the survey results should ideally represent the diverse study habits of all full-time students.
Using a simple random sample minimizes bias that could skew the results, making it a reliable method for obtaining a snapshot of student behavior.
Survey Question Clarity
Next, the clarity of the survey question is paramount to gathering accurate data. The question 'How many hours do you study?' is too ambiguous.
Different students may interpret 'study' in various ways. For some, it could mean the time spent reviewing notes, while for others, it could include time spent on assignments or group studies.
The lack of a specific time frame and context makes the data collected open to interpretations, leading to inaccurate and varied responses.
This begets the need for questions that are clearly defined and leave little room for misinterpretation.
Error Identification
The primary error in this survey is not in the sampling method, but in the survey question itself. The wording of 'How many hours do you study?' lacks specificity and clarity.
This can lead to diverse interpretations amongst respondents, causing the data to be inconsistent and unreliable.
A well-designed survey should have questions that are straightforward, unambiguous, and concise to ensure that every respondent understands and answers them in a similar manner.
Identifying this flaw is crucial for refining the survey to produce more accurate results.
Remedy Suggestion
To remedy the problem identified, it is essential to refine the survey question. A better question could be: 'How many hours do you spend studying for your courses each week?'
This revised question is more specific, providing a clear time frame and context. This minimizes the risk of varied interpretations and ensures that responses are more uniform.
Clear and precise questions are the backbone of a high-quality survey, as they guide respondents to provide accurate and meaningful data that truly represents the population being studied.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The age of a person is commonly considered to be a continuous random variable. Could it be considered a discrete random variable instead? Explain.

An article in the Los Angeles Times (Sept. 21,1996) reported that results of Bosnian elections the previous week were suspect because an independent watchdog agency, International Crisis Group, estimated that voter turnout was \(106.7 \% .\) Why do you think the agency was concerned?

An engineer has just developed a new tire design. However, before going into production, the tire company wants to determine if the new tire reduces braking distance on a car traveling 60 miles per hour compared with radial tires. Design an experiment to help the engineer determine if the new tire reduces braking distance.

Read the newspaper article and identify (a) the research question the study addresses, (b) the population, (c) the sample, \((d)\) the descriptive statistics, and (e) the inferences of the study. By Jeff Donn Associated Press February 20,2005 BOSTON-Levels of a stress-related protein in the blood could give doctors a powerful new tool for deciding which patients with clogged heart arteries are most in danger and need aggressive treatment, a study found. This protein is yet another predictor of heart trouble, in addition to such substances as cholesterol and C-reactive protein. The Danish study, published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine, focused on a substance called B-natriuretic peptide, or BNP, released into the blood when the heart is stressed. Some doctors already test for this protein to help evaluate patients with shortness of breath who may be suffering from congestive heart disease. The researchers measured the protein levels in 1,034 patients and followed their health for nine years. People with the highest protein levels were \(2 \frac{1}{2}\) times more likely to die from any cause than those with the lowest. This protein could help doctors decide which patients need angioplasty or heart-bypass surgery. "It sort of tells you that no matter what condition you have, higher levels of these peptides are associated with worse outcomes," said cardiologist Dr. James de Lemos, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Identify the type of sampling used. A group of lobbyists has a list of the 100 senators of the United States. To determine the Senate's position regarding farm subsidies, they decide to talk with every seventh senator on the list, starting with the third.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.