Question

How far do US workers travel to get to their jobs? A researcher would like to collect information on the commute distance traveled by workers and considers many methods for collecting data. Which of the following methods represents a voluntary response sample?

Option 1: Workers are invited to share their daily commute distance on a website.
Option 2: Workers at a large company are each asked to share their daily commute distance.
Option 3: The researcher stands in a public area and asks each adult to share their daily commute distance.
Option 4: The researcher takes a random sample of adults from a large town and asks each to share their daily commute distance.

Answer 1

The method that represents a voluntary response sample is when workers are invited to share their commute distance on a website. This can introduce bias as it relies on individuals choosing to participate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The method that represents a voluntary response sample is the first option where workers are invited to share their daily commute distance on a website. A voluntary response sample involves participants choosing themselves to be a part of the survey, which often leads to bias as those who have strong opinions or particular reasons to respond are more likely to participate.

Methods of Data Collection in Surveys

• Various methods can be used for collecting data on commute distances such as:
• Asking workers at a company
• Approaching adults in a public area
• Taking a random sample from a population

Each method has its advantages and potential biases. Random sampling is generally preferred for its ability to provide a representative snapshot of the population without the biases inherent in voluntary responses.