Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy–MediumWhy an online poll cannot be generalised
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question
A poll posted on a cycling club's website found that 90% of respondents support building new bike lanes in the city. Which of the following is the best reason the result cannot be generalised to all residents of the city?
- A. The respondents chose to answer a poll on a cycling website, so they are unlikely to represent all residents.Correct
- B. 90% is too high a percentage to be a real result.
- C. The poll did not ask about other kinds of transport.
- D. Bike lanes are not used by all residents.
Answer: A. The respondents chose to answer a poll on a cycling website, so they are unlikely to represent all residents.
A self-selected sample of cyclists is not a random sample of residents.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. 90% is too high a percentage to be a real result.
- A high percentage is not itself a flaw.
- C. The poll did not ask about other kinds of transport.
- The question asked is fine; the sample is the problem.
- D. Bike lanes are not used by all residents.
- Who uses the lanes is not a sampling issue.
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