Question

select the correct answer.

a department manager recently launched a new initiative so the members of her department can more easily present innovative ideas they have. to get feedback on the initiative, she emails a link to all department members for an anonymous online survey.

which statement is true?

• the survey results are not at risk for any bias.
• the survey results are most at risk for nonresponse bias.
• the survey results are most at risk for department members not being able to answer honestly.
• the survey results are most at risk for undercoverage.

Explanation:

Analyze the survey methodology

The department manager emailed a link to all department members for an anonymous online survey. Because participation is voluntary (members must choose to click the link and complete the survey), this methodology relies on voluntary response.

Identify the primary source of bias

Voluntary response surveys are highly susceptible to nonresponse bias, as those who choose to respond often have stronger or different opinions than those who do not respond, leading to unrepresentative results.

Evaluate the given options

• "The survey results are not at risk for any bias" is incorrect because voluntary online surveys always carry risk of bias.
• "The survey results are most at risk for nonresponse bias" is correct because participation is completely voluntary.
• "The survey results are most at risk for department members not being able to answer honestly" is incorrect because the survey is explicitly stated to be anonymous.
• "The survey results are most at risk for undercoverage" is incorrect because the manager emailed the link to all department members, meaning the entire target population was covered in the sampling frame.

Answer:

• The survey results are not at risk for any bias.
• The survey results are most at risk for nonresponse bias. (Correct answer)
• The survey results are most at risk for department members not being able to answer honestly.
• The survey results are most at risk for undercoverage.