27. Amusement Park W is in California. Amusement Park X is in Texas. A survey asks 1,000 people living in California if they prefer Amusement Park W or X. Which problem exists with this survey?
Answer: C
Measurement bias is present in the survey.
The survey conducted among 1,000 people living in California is biased because it only includes respondents from one geographic location, which affects the measurement of preferences for amusement parks. This lack of diversity in the sample leads to a skewed understanding of preferences, specifically neglecting the opinions of those who may favor Amusement Park X in Texas.
A) Systematic error
Systematic error refers to consistent, repeatable errors associated with faulty equipment or a flawed experiment design. While the survey design has flaws, the issue is more closely related to measurement bias rather than a systematic error affecting the overall accuracy of responses collected.
B) Random error
Random error involves variability in the data that arises from chance and is not consistent across measures. In this case, the survey's bias is not due to random fluctuations but rather the specific demographic limitations of the sample, making random error an incorrect choice.
C) Measurement bias
Measurement bias occurs when the method of data collection leads to inaccurate or skewed results. In this survey, by surveying only California residents, the data collected fails to accurately represent the preferences for amusement parks, particularly regarding those in Texas, thereby exhibiting measurement bias.
D) Information bias
Information bias happens when there is a systematic difference in the way information is collected from different groups. While the survey may suffer from issues related to information collection, the primary concern here is the geographic limitation affecting the measurement of preferences, making measurement bias the more relevant term.
Conclusion
The survey's limitation to California residents introduces measurement bias, as it does not accurately capture the preferences of the broader population that includes opinions from individuals in Texas. Other options, while related to errors in data collection, do not specifically address the core issue of geographic bias affecting measurement accuracy, confirming that measurement bias is the definitive concern in this scenario.