/*! 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 7 A recent online poll posed the q... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

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A recent online poll posed the question 鈥淪hould female athletes be paid the same as men for the work they do?鈥欌 In all, 13,147 (44%) said 鈥淵es,鈥欌 15,182 (50%) said 鈥淣o,鈥欌 and the remaining 1448 said 鈥淒on鈥檛 know.鈥 In spite of the large sample size for this survey, we can鈥檛 trust the result. Why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The online poll might be biased and not representative of the general population, affecting its reliability.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Poll Results

First, we need to identify the distribution of responses from the survey. Out of the total respondents, we see that 13,147 answered 'Yes,' 15,182 answered 'No,' and 1448 were unsure ('Don鈥檛 know'). Calculating the total number of respondents confirms it as 29,777, matching the sum of the given responses.
02

Evaluating Representativeness

Next, consider whether the sample is representative of the broader population. For a poll to be trusted, the sample should ideally mirror the diversity of the entire population concerning demographics like age, gender, geographic location, socioeconomic status, and more. The problem states it was an online poll, which inherently attracts a certain demographic that might not represent the entire population.
03

Assessing Sampling Bias

Online polls often suffer from sampling biases. Individuals who choose to participate in online polls might share similar characteristics or opinions. This self-selection can lead to an over-representation of certain views that do not accurately reflect the general population. In this case, the participants may be biased towards a specific opinion due to their shared traits.
04

Conclusion Regarding Trustworthiness

Due to the potential lack of representativeness and sampling bias associated with online polls, the results can't be fully trusted to reflect the opinions of the entire population. Despite having a large number of responses, these factors compromise the reliability of the results.

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Key Concepts

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

Representativeness
In any survey, representativeness is critical to ensure that the findings accurately reflect the views of the entire population. For a sample to be considered representative, it must include a diverse cross-section of individuals that mirrors the larger population's characteristics. These characteristics could include:
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Ethnicity
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Geographic location
However, when a survey is conducted online, it often attracts certain demographic groups more than others. This can happen because different groups have varying levels of internet access or differing likelihoods of engaging in online activities. For example, younger individuals or those in urban areas might be over-represented. Such discrepancies mean the results might not accurately reflect society as a whole. Being aware of these factors helps show why a survey needs to work hard to ensure it mirrors the entire population's diversity.
Online Poll Limitations
Online polls have become a popular method for quickly gathering opinions from a large group of people. However, they come with several limitations that can affect the validity of their results. Some of these major limitations include:
  • Self-Selection Bias: Participants in online polls choose to participate on their own. Those who take the time to respond may have stronger opinions or particular interests, skewing the data.
  • Lack of Control Over Who Responds: Unlike more controlled sampling methods, researchers conducting online polls have less control over what type of people respond. This can lead to over-representation of certain groups.
  • Limited Accessibility: Not everyone has access to the internet, leading to exclusion of parts of the population, such as older individuals or those in rural areas with limited connectivity.
These limitations mean that while online polls are easy to administer and can reach large audiences quickly, their results need to be interpreted with caution. Understanding these limitations helps explain why they may not fully capture the nuanced views of the broader population.
Survey Reliability
Survey reliability refers to the consistency and trustworthiness of its results. A reliable survey is one that, if repeated, would yield similar results under the same conditions. However, several factors can undermine a survey's reliability:
  • Question Design: Poorly worded or leading questions can influence how participants respond, introducing biases that reduce reliability.
  • Sample Size and Diversity: Even with a large sample size, if the sample is not representative, the results may not be reliable indicators of the general population's views.
  • Data Collection Method: The method used to gather data, such as online versus in-person, can affect reliability due to the varying inaccuracies associated with each method.
In the case of the online poll in question, despite having a substantial number of respondents, the lack of a representative sample and potential biases make the survey's results less reliable. Ensuring reliability requires meticulous design and execution of the survey, making certain that all aspects, from sampling to data collection, work towards unbiased and accurate data.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Random sampling versus random assignment Explain the difference between the types of inference that can be made as a result of random sampling and random assignment.

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