Question

evaluating statistical claims: foundations
a writer for a high school newspaper is conducting a survey to estimate the number of students that will vote for a particular candidate in an upcoming student government election. all students at the high school are eligible to vote in the election, and the writer decides to select a sample of students to take the survey. which of the following sampling methods is most likely to produce valid results?
choose 1 answer:
a survey every fifth student to enter the school library.
b survey every fifth student to arrive at school one morning.
c survey every fifth senior to arrive at school one morning.
d survey every fifth student to enter the school stadium for a football game.
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Explanation:

To produce valid results, the sample should be representative of the entire student population (all eligible voters).

• Option A: Students entering the library may have specific interests (e.g., studying more), not representative.
• Option B: Surveying every fifth student arriving at school is a form of systematic sampling. Assuming students arrive randomly (not grouped by some bias - like all seniors first), this can approximate a random sample and be representative.
• Option C: Only surveying seniors is a biased sample (excludes non - seniors).
• Option D: Students at a football game may have different characteristics (e.g., more into sports), not representative.

Answer:

B. Survey every fifth student to arrive at school one morning.