Math  /  Data & Statistics

Questionthe study? A high school principal wanted to know how the teachers at her school felt about early dismissal for Homecoming. She put the names of the 114 faculty in a hat and randomly selected 30 of the names. She gave questionnaires to those 30 people asking whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: "Valuable learning time should not be sacrificed for extracurricular social activities." The questionnaires were filled out anonymously. Her conclusion was that 80%80 \% of the faculty were opposed to early dismissal for Homecoming. Selection bias Participation bias Confounding variables The wording of the question The setting may discourage honest responses

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

1. The principal is conducting a survey to understand faculty opinions on early dismissal for Homecoming.
2. The sample size is 30 out of 114 faculty members.
3. The conclusion is that 80% of the faculty are opposed to early dismissal.
4. Potential biases and issues in the study need to be identified.

STEP 2

1. Evaluate selection bias.
2. Evaluate participation bias.
3. Identify potential confounding variables.
4. Assess the wording of the question.
5. Consider the setting and its impact on responses.

STEP 3

Evaluate selection bias:
Selection bias occurs when the sample is not representative of the population. In this study, names were randomly selected from a hat, which is a method intended to minimize selection bias. However, if the method of random selection was not truly random or if certain groups within the faculty were inadvertently excluded, selection bias could still be present.

STEP 4

Evaluate participation bias:
Participation bias occurs when the individuals who choose to participate in a study differ from those who do not, potentially skewing the results. Since the questionnaires were filled out anonymously, it is less likely that participation bias occurred, assuming all selected individuals completed the questionnaire.

STEP 5

Identify potential confounding variables:
Confounding variables are external factors that might affect the outcome of the study. In this case, personal opinions about Homecoming, teaching subjects, or past experiences with early dismissals could influence responses and should be considered as potential confounders.

STEP 6

Assess the wording of the question:
The question posed was: "Valuable learning time should not be sacrificed for extracurricular social activities." This wording may lead to bias, as it frames the statement negatively and could influence respondents to agree with the sentiment against early dismissal.

STEP 7

Consider the setting and its impact on responses:
The setting in which the questionnaires were distributed and completed may affect honesty in responses. If faculty members felt pressured to conform to a perceived majority opinion or feared repercussions, this could discourage honest responses.
The study may be affected by the wording of the question and the setting, which could discourage honest responses. Random selection aims to reduce selection bias, and anonymity helps mitigate participation bias, but confounding variables should be considered.

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