Understanding Biased Questions in Surveys

This lesson covers the concept of random samples and surveys, explaining key vocabulary such as population, sample, and random sample. It provides examples to identify random samples and discusses the importance of unbiased survey questions. The lesson also includes examples of biased and fair questions, highlighting how language can influence survey responses.

What is a population in the context of surveys?

• A small group of people

• A specific type of sample

• A random selection of individuals

• A group of objects or people

Which of the following best describes a random sample?

• A sample where each member has an equal chance of being selected

• A sample taken from a specific group

• A sample that includes only a few members

• A sample that is biased

In the context of mall surveys, which method is more likely to yield a random sample?

• Surveying shoppers at the entrance from 5 to 8

• Surveying shoppers in a specific store

• Surveying shoppers throughout the day

• Surveying only teenagers

Why is surveying people only from 5 to 8 not considered a random sample?

• It is too expensive

• It is too time-consuming

• It excludes people who shop at other times

• It includes too many people

What is a biased question?

• A question that is too simple

• A question that makes unjustified assumptions

• A question that is too long

• A question that is too difficult

Which of the following is an example of a biased question?

• Do you think soothing classical music is better than loud pop music?

• What is your favorite genre of music?

• Do you prefer classical music or pop music?

• Which age group likes pop music?

How can adjectives in a question lead to bias?

• They make the question more interesting

• They influence the respondent's answer

• They clarify the question

• They make the question longer

Which question is fair and unbiased?

• Do you think classical music is better than pop music?

• Which pizza topping do you like best?

• Is pop music only for teenagers?

• Do you prefer greasy meat or healthy vegetables?

What makes a question fair?

• It is short and concise

• It does not make assumptions

• It uses complex vocabulary

• It is humorous

Why is it important to avoid biased questions in surveys?

• They are too difficult to understand

• They can lead to inaccurate results

• They are too expensive to analyze

• They take too long to answer