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Football discipline \(\quad\) A large southern university had problems with 17 football players being disciplined for team rule violations, arrest charges, and possible NCAA violations. The online Atlanta Journal Constitution ran a poll with the question, "Has the football coach lost control over his players?" having possible responses, "Yes, he's been too lenient," and "No, he can't control everything teenagers do." a. Was there potential for bias in this study? If so, what types of bias? b. The poll results after two days were $$ \begin{array}{lrr} \hline \text { Yes } & 6012 & 93 \% \\ \text { No } & 487 & 7 \% \\ \hline \end{array} $$

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, the study may be biased due to selection and response biases.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Potential Bias

The poll from the Atlanta Journal Constitution could be biased due to several factors. First, there is a potential for selection bias, as it is an online poll, and only those who visit the website and choose to participate are included. This may not represent the broader population. Second, the phrasing of the question could lead to response bias, as it suggests the coach might be 'too lenient,' leading participants towards a particular answer.
02

Identify Bias Types

There are two main types of bias in this study: selection bias and response bias. Selection bias arises because individuals have self-selected to respond, thus may not be representative of the entire population's views. Response bias is present due to the potential influence of question wording, which implies an expectation for the coach to control his players strictly, possibly skewing results toward a 'Yes' answer.
03

Analyze Poll Results

According to the poll results, 6012 respondents (93%) answered 'Yes,' suggesting the coach lost control, while only 487 (7%) said 'No.' These results display a strong inclination towards a belief that the coach has been too lenient, further indicating potential response bias associated with the wording and framed context of the question.

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Key Concepts

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

Selection Bias
Selection bias occurs when the participants of a study are not representative of the entire population you want to learn about. In the case of the football discipline survey, selection bias is introduced because it's an online poll. This means that only people who access the website and decide to answer the poll end up being counted. Therefore, it's likely that people who feel strongly one way or the other are more inclined to take part, while others may simply skip the poll. This self-selection or voluntary response can cause a skewed view, as the sample doesn't accurately reflect the opinions of the general public. Furthermore, by relying solely on online responses, individuals without internet access are excluded, which further narrows the diversity of perspectives included in the results.
Response Bias
Response bias is another type of statistical bias that occurs when the way a question is framed influences how respondents answer. In this survey about the football coach's control, the question's wording implies certain expectations. By asking if the coach has "lost control" and if he's "been too lenient," it indirectly suggests that people might favor the 'Yes' answer. This potential guidance, whether intentional or not, can lead people to respond in a way that aligns with the suggested viewpoint. As such, the way survey questions are phrased can greatly impact outcomes by inadvertently leading respondents toward a particular answer. Maintaining neutral and balanced language helps minimize this kind of bias.
Survey Methodology
Survey methodology involves the processes and techniques used to gather data from respondents and ensure the information collected is as accurate and unbiased as possible. In the context of the Atlanta Journal Constitution poll, several methodological aspects can be questioned. Firstly, the survey being conducted online can exclude certain demographics that don’t frequent the specific website. Secondly, the lack of demographic questions means there's no way to segment responses by age, gender, or other relevant factors, which could illuminate trends. Choosing a random, stratified sample would help create a more representative collection of data. It's important for any survey to be designed thoughtfully to ensure it captures a genuine cross-section of the targeted population.
Data Interpretation
Data interpretation means analyzing the results of a study to draw conclusions. In evaluating the poll results where 93% responded 'Yes', it's crucial to consider the biases in play. While at face value it suggests strong consensus, recognizing how selection and response biases might skew these results is essential. Few people who see the poll might believe the coach has control and thus choose not to participate or are influenced by the question's phrasing, hence reinforcing the skew. Additionally, without knowing the demographics or total population size, these percentage figures alone cannot deliver a definitive assessment. Interpreting data involves considering the context of responses and awareness of potential biases in both the data collection and analysis stages.

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