Question

Shantel and Syrus are researching what types of novels people prefer. They decide to survey people at the mall. Shantel asks every sixth person at the entrance. She finds that 24​% prefer romance novels. Syrus asks every person in only one store. He finds that 48​% prefer romance novels. Whose inference do you agree​ with? Explain. What mistake might the incorrect friend have​ made?

Answer 1

Agree with Shantel.

Syrus' sample was biased.

Explanation:

I agree with Shantel's inference.

Shantel applied a systematic random sampling method by interviewing random people at a set interval. Since Shatel interviewed people at the entrance, he targeted the whole population of the mall in a a way that is free of bias.

Syrus, on the other hand, produced a biased sample by interviewing people in only one store. People in the same store are more likely to share the same interests, which might not reflect the interests of the whole population of the mall (most of which were excluded from Syrus' sample).