Week 2: Week Two – Class Discussion
Interpret the process of collecting unbiased data for observational studies and experiments.
Ann Landers (1918 2002) was a syndicated advice columnist whose daily column was published in over 1,200 newspapers in the United States and Canada. One of her columns from 1976 turned into survey on parenthood.
It sounded like a simple survey easy to understand, easy to execute, and relatively inexpensive with the survey costs limited to the recording of the responses. There were many responses, at least 10,000, which made the statistical efficiency excellent. The survey of 1975-76 examined the issue of whether or not parents would have children if they were able to live their lives over again. To her surprise, 70% of the respondents said No.
Youve been asked to investigate this statistical result. After reading Section 1.5, you should discuss the following in your main post:
What is your initial reaction to this statistical result?
Research and provide an example survey that produced statistical results that were unexpected. (Remember to list all of your resources)
Critique the study you researched, in part b, based on what you learned in Chapter 1. In particular, discuss the sampling design used in this study and any issues of bias.
Why does the second way of studying the question (the experiment), give more useful information about whether exercise reduces the risk of heart attacks?
Using your critique in question c, is there a better way to do this study? If so, what would you specifically change in your approach?
