A poorly written survey question can introduce bias. A survey question should be clear, precise, and fair so that everyone hears the same question. It should avoid:
- combining two or more issues
- using double negatives
- overlapping answer choices
- words that cause strong reactions (a loaded question)
- suggesting that you want a particular answer (a leading question)
Problem 2 Analyzing Survey Questions
Is there any bias in the survey question? Explain.
Plan
How do you tell if a survey question is biased?
Look for unclear wording, strong words, suggestive wording, and combined questions.
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Do you think farmers should use poison to control insects on crops?
There is bias because the question is loaded. Using the term “poison” instead of “pesticide” could cause a strong reaction from respondents.
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Don't you agree that most childcare workers are underpaid?
There is bias because the question is leading. It suggests that you want a certain answer, that childcare workers are underpaid.
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Do you think teachers should communicate frequently with students and their parents about class grades?
There is bias because the question asks about two issues: teachers communicating with students and teachers communicating with parents.
✓ Got It?
- Is there any bias in the survey question? Explain.
- Do you think the cafeteria food is nutritional and tasty?
- How would you rate the performance of the highly effective student council?
Problem 3 Designing a Survey
Sports During the 2008 Olympic Games, a U.S. swimmer won more gold medals than any other Olympic swimmer ever before. What sampling method could you use to find the percent of students in your school who recognize that swimmer from a photograph? What is an example of a survey question that is likely to yield information that has no bias?
Think
How do you think of a survey question that has no bias?
Keep it simple. The simplest question is likely to be the least biased.
A possible sampling method is to question every 10th student entering school in the morning. This is a systematic sampling. It usually contains the least bias. A possible unbiased survey question is, “Who is pictured in this photograph?”.
✓ Got It?
- What sampling method could you use to find the percent of residents in your neighborhood who recognize the governor of your state by name? What is an example of a survey question that is likely to yield information that has no bias?
Table of Contents
- 5-1 Polynomial Functions
- 5-2 Polynomials, Linear Factors, and Zeros
- 5-3 Solving Polynomial Equations
- 5-4 Dividing Polynomials
- 5-5 Theorems About Roots of Polynomial Equations
- 5-6 The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
- 5-7 The Binomial Theorem
- 5-8 Polynomial Models in the Real World
- 5-9 Transforming Polynomial Functions