3.2 Sampling: Good and Bad Part 2

Many websites include customer reviews of products, restaurants, hotels, and so on. The manager of a hotel was upset to see that 26% of reviewers on a travel website gave the hotel a "1 star" rating (the lowest possible rating). Is 26% likely greater than or less than the percentage of all the hotel's customers who would give the hotel 1 star?

• Greater than

• Less than

You are on the staff of a member of the US Senate who is considering a bill that would provide government-sponsored insurance for nursing-home care. You report that 1128 letters and emails have been received on the issue, of which 871 (77%) oppose the legislation. Is 77% likely greater than or less than the percentage of all the senator's constituents who oppose the legislation?

• Greater than

• Less than

Newspaper readers sometimes write letters to the editor, hoping that their opinions will be published in the paper. The editorial staff at a local newspaper keeps track of the content of each letter that is submitted. After a controversial decision made by the mayor, 90% of the letters to the editor expressed opposition to the mayor's action. Is 90% likely greater than or less than the percentage of all citizens who oppose the mayor's action?

• Greater than

• Less than

TV commentator Lou Dobbs doesn't like illegal immigration. One of his shows was largely devoted to illegal immigrants. During the show, Dobbs invited his viewers to loudobbs.com to vote on the question "Would you be more or less likely to vote for a presidential candidate who supports giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens?" The result: 97% of the 7350 people who voted by the end of the show said "less likely". Is 97% likely greater than or less than the percentage of all Americans who would say "less likely"?

• Greater than

• Less than