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A survey is sent out to a sample of voters about an upcoming election via text messaging. Do you think this will produce an unbiased sample? Give your reasons for your answer.

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Answer:

In a statistical study, sampling methods refer to how we select members from the population to be in the study.

If a sample isn't randomly selected, it will probably be biased in some way and the data may not be representative of the population.

There are many ways to select a sample some good and some bad.

Convenience sample: The researcher chooses a sample that is readily available in some non-random way.

Example—A researcher polls people as they walk by on the street.

Why it's probably biased: The location and time of day and other factors may produce a biased sample of people.

Voluntary response sample: The researcher puts out a request for members of a population to join the sample, and people decide whether or not to be in the sample.

Example—A TV show host asks his viewers to visit his website and respond to an online poll.

Why it's probably biased: People who take the time to respond tend to have similarly strong opinions compared to the rest of the population.

Step-by-step explanation:

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