Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy–MediumWhich sampling method gives an unbiased estimate
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question
A city wants to estimate the proportion of its residents who own a car. Which sampling method is most likely to produce an unbiased estimate?
- A. Selecting 500 residents at random from the city's electoral roll and contacting each of them.Correct
- B. Surveying 500 drivers at a petrol station.
- C. Surveying 500 passengers at the main bus station.
- D. Posting a poll on the city's car club website.
Answer: A. Selecting 500 residents at random from the city's electoral roll and contacting each of them.
A random selection from a list of all residents gives every resident an equal chance of inclusion.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Surveying 500 drivers at a petrol station.
- Petrol-station customers nearly all own cars.
- C. Surveying 500 passengers at the main bus station.
- Bus passengers are less likely than average to own cars.
- D. Posting a poll on the city's car club website.
- Car-club members own cars by definition.
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