A research center is interested in finding a state population's view on a specific candidate for governor. Researchers

identify a random sample of 1,000 people from the population and mail each person a questionnaire. The recipients are

asked to answer the questions and mail the questionnaire back to the research center. Of the responses, 54% favor the

candidate, and 46% oppose the candidate. The research center is predicting the candidate as the winner of the election. Is

the statistical conclusion drawn by the research center valid? Why or why not?

Question

Mathematics

Bryan Hicks

8 April, 23:20

A research center is interested in finding a state population's view on a specific candidate for governor. Researchers

identify a random sample of 1,000 people from the population and mail each person a questionnaire. The recipients are

asked to answer the questions and mail the questionnaire back to the research center. Of the responses, 54% favor the

candidate, and 46% oppose the candidate. The research center is predicting the candidate as the winner of the election. Is

the statistical conclusion drawn by the research center valid? Why or why not?

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Answers (1)

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Yoselin Lowery · Answer 1

The statistical conclusion is not valid. The majority is slim, and there are potential issues with the survey method that could easily sway the results the other way. The central problem will be nonresponse bias. The sample of those who were mailed the survey may be well formed; however, if people who received the survey don't mail it back in, there will be missing information from the sample.