Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?

Do Now
 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
The student council wants students to help decide on a theme for a
costume dance. Students can choose one of the councils three ideas
from the options listed below.
Dance Theme Survey Surveying all of the students
will take too long .
Which dance theme do you
prefer? Some of the students will be
surveyed.
Choose one:

movies
famous historical figures
sports and games
 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
One way to collect data about a group is by doing a survey.
population – the entire group of people or objects that you want
information about.

sample– a part of the entire population.

Larger samples are more reliable than smaller samples.

unbiased sample– a sample that is representative of the entire

population

biased sample– a sample where one or more parts of the

population receive greater representation than others
 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
Biased Samples

Tell whether sample is biased or unbiased. Explain your reasoning.

1) Survey members of the movie club.

Biased Sample. This group is more likely to want the movie theme.

2) Survey students as they enter the school.

Unbiased Sample. This is a wide range of students.

3) Survey students on the football team.

Biased Sample. The football players are more likely to prefer the
sports and games theme.
 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
Biased Samples
A fast-food franchise is studying whether to open a new restaurant
in town. A sample of residents will be surveyed. Tell whether the
sample is biased or unbiased. Explain your reasoning.
1) Survey customers in a diner.

Biased Sample. Diner customers are more likely to favor fast-food.

2) Survey patrons in a library.

Unbiased Sample. They are neither likely or unlikely to favor fast-
food.
3) Survey customers in a grocery store.
Biased Sample. Grocery store customers could be less likely to favor
fast-food.
 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
Biased Questions
It is important to make sure that the questions are not biased.
Questions should not assume anything or influence the answers.

Will these questions produce a biased results? Explain.

1) How many hours of television do you watch per day?

Unbiased Question. This will not produce biased results.

2) Do you think filthy rich people should pay more in taxes.

Biased Question. The questions encourages a response of yes by using
negative language to describe rich people.
 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
Biased Questions
It is important to make sure that the questions are not biased.
Questions should not assume anything or influence the answers.

Will these questions produce a biased result? Explain.

1) Do you support the unfair rule of requiring students to do a long
community project? Yes [ ] No [ ]
Biased Question. The questions states that the rule is unfair and
encourages a response of ‘no’.

2) Do you like our new apple-nut yogurt flavor, now on sale in stores
everywhere? Yes [ ] No [ ]
Biased Question. The questions assumes the person has tried the flavor. If
you have not tried the yogurt you may not give an accurate opinion.
 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?

Practice: Tell whether sample is biased or unbiased. Explain your

reasoning.

1) To determine the kind of snacks people like to eat,

every tenth person who walks past a park entrance is
surveyed.
Unbiased Sample. This group is random.
 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
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 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
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 Aim: How do we identify biased samples and surveys?
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