Checking for bias Comment on each of the following as a potential sample survey question. Is the question clear? Is it slanted toward the desired response?

(a) Which of the following best represents your opinion on gun control?

1. The government should confiscate our guns.

2. We have the right to keep and bear arms.

(b) A freeze on nuclear weapons should be favored because it would begin a much-needed process to stop everyone in the world from building nuclear

weapons now and reduce the possibility of nuclear war in the future. Do you agree or disagree?

Consider each of the following as a possible survey question sample. Is the question straightforward? Is it skewed toward a particular response?

A sample survey picks a group of people from a larger group of people about whom we want to learn more. The data from the sample is used to draw inferences about the population. It's critical to be specific about the demographic you're interested in and the characteristics you'll track.

We need to change the phrasing and make it slanted.

The question is whether the government should seize guns or not.

Slanted: No, because it has no bearing on which of the two options is chosen (gun control).

We need to change the phrasing and make it slanted.

Wording: Uncertain because the statement is quite long and difficult for others to understand. As a result, we can create a distinct, shorter statement to better understand the question.

Slanted: Yes, because the comment of minimizing the probability of uncertain war can encourage individuals to answer "Agree."