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Chapter 4: Problem 25

The journal Energy Policy ( 2014,\(65: 57-67)\) presents a survey of opinions about fracking. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the process of drilling through rock and injecting a pressurized mixture of sand, water, and chemicals that fractures the rock and releases oil and gas. There has been much debate in the media about its impact on the environment, on land owners, and on the economy. The survey involved contacting a nationally representative sample of 1960 adults in 2012 . Of the 1960 people contacted, 1061 adults responded to the survey. The study reported that those more familiar with fracking, women, and those holding egalitarian worldviews were more likely to oppose fracking. a. Describe the population of interest for this study. b. Explain why a census is not practical for this study. What advantages does sampling offer? c. Explain how nonresponse bias might be an issue in this study.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The population of interest is all U.S. adults in 2012. A census is impractical due to high costs and logistics; sampling is more feasible. Nonresponse bias is an issue if nonresponders have different opinions.

Step by step solution

01

Identifying the Population of Interest

The population of interest for this study includes all adults in the United States during 2012, as the survey aims to gather opinions on fracking from a nationally representative sample of this demographic.
02

Considering the Impracticality of a Census

A census involves collecting data from every adult in the U.S., which is highly resource-intensive in terms of time, cost, and logistics. Sampling offers a practical alternative by allowing the study to draw conclusions about the entire population based on a smaller, more manageable subset of individuals.
03

Understanding Nonresponse Bias

Nonresponse bias might occur in this study because out of 1960 contacted adults, not everyone responded (only 1061 did). If the individuals who did not respond have different opinions on fracking compared to those who did respond, the survey results might not accurately reflect the views of the whole population.

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Key Concepts

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

Population of Interest
When conducting a survey, it's vital to clearly define the population of interest. In the context of this study on fracking opinions, the population of interest is all adults living in the United States in the year 2012. The purpose of identifying this population is to ensure that the findings can be generalized to reflect the opinions of U.S. adults at that time. This consideration is crucial because survey results are used to understand broader public sentiment, influence policy decisions, or guide future research. In this study, researchers aimed to gather insights by contacting a sample that mirrors the demographic distribution of adults across the nation. Making sure the sample accurately represents the population of interest helps ensure that conclusions drawn from the study are valid and reliable.
Nonresponse Bias
Nonresponse bias is a common issue in survey sampling, which can occur when a significant portion of the sampled individuals do not participate. In this particular study, nonresponse bias could have skewed results, as only 1061 out of 1960 contacted adults responded. It is possible that those who chose not to respond have different views or characteristics than those who did. For instance, individuals less familiar or interested in fracking might have opted out of the survey, potentially leaving the sample with a particular slant. To mitigate nonresponse bias, researchers might employ techniques such as follow-up reminders, offering incentives, or adjusting the sample weighting based on known demographic trends. The goal is to ensure that the survey results more accurately represent the entire population's perspective.
Census vs. Sampling
Conducting a full census, where every individual in a population is surveyed, is often impractical due to several constraints. In this study about fracking opinions, surveying all U.S. adults in 2012 would have been highly resource-intensive. A census requires extensive time, financial costs, and logistical capabilities, making it less feasible for most studies. Instead, researchers turn to sampling, which involves selecting a smaller, manageable group from the population. Sampling allows for quicker data collection and analysis, with results that, if done correctly, can be generalized to the whole population. By ensuring the sample is representative, sampling offers a balance between feasibility and accuracy, making it a practical choice for studies like this one on fracking. Sampling also provides the flexibility to conduct surveys more frequently or with adjustments that reflect changing demographics or study focus.

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