If you are conducting a survey to determine the public
opinion on whether hockey is too dangerous, which of the
following samples would be the least biased and most
useful?
a. fans at a football game
b. fans at a hockey game
c. group of local sportscasters
d. group of shoppers at a shopping mall
In order to obtain the least biased and most useful sample for determining public opinion on whether hockey is too dangerous, option c. a group of local sportscasters, would be the best choice. This group is likely to have a good understanding of the sport and its potential risks, and their professional background suggests they may have knowledge and insight that can contribute to a well-informed opinion. The other options (a. fans at a football game, b. fans at a hockey game, and d. group of shoppers at a shopping mall) may have biased opinions due to their personal interests, limited knowledge, or lack of expertise in the subject matter.
is C biased?
Apologies for any confusion. You are correct that option c. a group of local sportscasters could potentially introduce bias into the survey. Sportscasters may have personal opinions or biases towards hockey due to their involvement and coverage of the sport. While they may have knowledge and insights, their opinions may not necessarily represent the broader public opinion. Therefore, option c may not be the best choice for obtaining an unbiased sample.
In that case, the most appropriate choice would be option d. a group of shoppers at a shopping mall. This sample would likely include individuals with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and perspectives, making it more representative of the general public. Additionally, shoppers are unlikely to have a specific bias towards or against hockey, allowing for a more balanced and diverse range of opinions on the topic of hockey's potential danger.
To determine the public opinion on whether hockey is too dangerous, the most useful and least biased sample would be option d: a group of shoppers at a shopping mall. Here's why:
a. Fans at a football game: This sample could be somewhat biased because football and hockey have different levels of physicality and risk. Football fans might have a predisposition towards viewing hockey as less dangerous since they are accustomed to the risks associated with football.
b. Fans at a hockey game: Although fans at a hockey game could provide valuable insights, they might have a biased perspective because they are already actively engaged in and supportive of the sport. Their passion for hockey may skew their opinions towards perceiving it as less dangerous.
c. Group of local sportscasters: While sportscasters possess expertise and knowledge about sports, their opinions may not entirely reflect the public's opinion. They could have their own perspectives on the issue, which might not represent the broader population.
d. Group of shoppers at a shopping mall: This sample is likely to be the least biased, as the shoppers are random individuals selected from the general public. They are unlikely to have a particular affiliation or interest in hockey, allowing for a more neutral and diverse range of opinions. This sample provides a better representation of the public's perspective on the question.
When conducting a survey, it is crucial to ensure the sample is as diverse and representative as possible to obtain accurate information reflecting the wider population's opinion.