Question

Why might a simple random sample of college students be biased?

A) Because it includes students from various groups, ensuring representation.
B) Because it could have an equal number of students from each academic year.
C) Because it is unlikely to include students from a particular group, such as sophomores.
D) Because it may have a disproportionate number of students from a specific group, leading to bias.
E) Because it is not a true representation of the overall student population.

Answer 1

A simple random sample might be biased if it accidentally includes a disproportionate number of students from a specific group, leading to skewed results that do not accurately represent the entire population.

Step-by-step explanation:

A simple random sample of college students might be biased due to the option D) Because it may have a disproportionate number of students from a specific group, leading to bias. Even with a simple random sampling technique, which intends to give every individual an equal chance of being selected, the resulting sample may not perfectly represent the diversity of the entire student population. Various factors could lead to overrepresentation or underrepresentation of certain groups within the sample. For instance, if a sample happens to include a larger number of students from a particular major or year, it may skew the results and the conclusions that can be drawn about the entire student population.