Question

your turn
identify the population in the following scenarios. then, classify the sampling methods and decide whether the sampling methods could result in a biased sample. explain your reasoning.

1. a representative of a mall surveys every fifth person walking into the main mall entrance to ask if they would like the mall to have a new store that sells audio equipment.
2. a local newspaper conducts a survey to find out if adult residents of the city think the use of hand - held cell phones while driving in the city should be banned. the newspaper sends a text message to a random selection of 1000 subscribers whose cell phones are listed in the paper’s subscription database.

Explanation:

1. Population: All people who visit the mall.

• Sampling Method: Systematic sampling (every fifth person).
• Biased or Not: Could be biased. People entering the main mall entrance may not be representative of all mall visitors. For example, they might be more likely to be regular shoppers or have a particular interest in the mall's offerings.

1. Population: All adult residents of the city.

• Sampling Method: Random sampling (random selection from subscribers).
• Biased or Not: Could be biased. Only subscribers of the newspaper are surveyed. There may be adult residents who are not subscribers, and their opinions are not represented. Also, subscribers may have different demographics or views compared to non - subscribers.

Answer:

1. Population: All mall visitors. Sampling method: Systematic. Biased: Yes (main entrance visitors may not represent all).
2. Population: All adult city residents. Sampling method: Random. Biased: Yes (only subscribers surveyed).