Question

Question

Janine wishes to conduct a poll to predict how many dance club members will vote for her for club president.

Which polling methods are likely to be biased?

Select each correct answer.

Responses

From a list of all club members, 25 members are selected at random and asked for whom they intend to vote.
From a list of all club members, 25 members are selected at random and asked for whom they intend to vote.

Every 10th club member from a list of all members is selected and asked for whom the member intends to vote.
Every 10th club member from a list of all members is selected and asked for whom the member intends to vote.

Janine chooses 5 members that plan on voting for her and asks each to select another 5 members. These 25 members are asked for whom they intend to vote.
Janine chooses 5 members that plan on voting for her and asks each to select another 5 members. These 25 members are asked for whom they intend to vote.

Five of Janine's friends are selected and asked for whom they intend to vote.
Five of Janine's friends are selected and asked for whom they intend to vote.

Answer 1

The following polling methods are likely to be biased:

1. Janine chooses 5 members that plan on voting for her and asks each to select another 5 members. These 25 members are asked for whom they intend to vote.

   • This method is biased because it relies on individuals who are likely to support Janine to select further respondents, leading to a skewed sample.

2. Five of Janine's friends are selected and asked for whom they intend to vote.

   • This method is biased because it involves only her friends, who may share her views and therefore do not represent the overall membership of the club.

The other two methods (random selection of 25 members and every 10th member from a list) would generally have less bias, assuming the list is comprehensive and all members had an equal chance of being selected.