Question

This week we have been discussing collecting data. As a consumer of data, it is important to understand how readily the results of a survey or experiment can be manipulated. Consider the scenario below which data, or claims from data, can be misrepresented based on sampling bias, wording bias or exaggerated claims.

Scenario 2:

A large high school would like to know how many students are currently using tobacco products. Eighty students are called to the nurses office at random and asked:

"Have you ever smoked, vaped or chewed tobacco?"

From the students selected, 5% of the students said "Yes".

Answer the following questions based on Scenario 2 (7 points}:

• Consider whether the sampling biased? Is there possible wording bias or response bias?
• Is the number 5% a statistic or a parameter? Do you think 5% is a realistic value given the nature of the question? If not, would you expect the value to be more or less than 5%?

Answer 1

This is a response bias. Most of the high school students won't be comfortable in admitting that they have ever consumed tobacco. Hence, there is a response bias as respondents are biased towards answering no. 5% is a measurement on the sample and hence is a statistic. 5% is not the realistic value,as most of the students who had consumed tobacco, lied. So the value should be more than 5%.