Identify the misuse or misrepresentation of statistics:
“60% of all college students watch less than 2 hours of television per day.” This conclusion was reached by a college student after she had questioned 520 randomly selected students exiting the library. What is wrong with her survey?
Biased sample. If students spend much of their time in the library, wouldn't that leave less time to watch TV?
The misuse or misrepresentation of statistics in this case lies in the flawed survey methodology.
Firstly, the sample selection is not truly random. The survey only targets students exiting the library, which introduces bias since it does not include students who do not use the library frequently. This limited sample may not be representative of all college students.
Secondly, the sample size is also relatively small. Surveying only 520 students out of the entire college student population may not provide an accurate representation of the entire group. A larger sample size usually increases the reliability of the findings.
Thirdly, the survey question itself may be subjective and open to interpretation. The statement "watch less than 2 hours of television per day" lacks specificity. What qualifies as "less than 2 hours"? This ambiguity can lead to varying interpretations and responses, reducing the reliability of the findings.
To improve the survey methodology and mitigate these issues, a truly random sample should be selected, covering a wider range of students from different backgrounds and with varying habits. A larger sample size would also provide more reliable results. Additionally, the survey question should be more specific and precise to ensure consistent interpretation and responses.