Question

Quick Vote. TalkBack Live, a production of CNN, conducted on-line surveys on various issues. One survey, called a QuickVote, of 680 people asked "Would you vote for a third-party candidate?" Of the 680 people surveyed, 608 ( 89.4 % ) responded "yes" and 72 ( 10.6 % ) responded "no." Beneath the vote tally, the following statement regarding the sampling procedure was found:

This QuickVote is not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, nor the public as a whole. The Quick Vote sponsor is not responsible for content, functionality or the opinions expressed therein.

Discuss the preceding statement in light of what you have learned in this chapter.

Short answer

The findings of the given study cannot be applied to all units in the population because their answers are entirely voluntary.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given information. 

The given statement says that 680 people were surveyed, from that number 608 ( 89.4 % ) responded "yes" and 72 ( 10.6 % ) responded "no."

Step 2. Explanation.

As we know that the above-said survey is an online survey, and respondents who wish to participate are considered.

In other words, the survey is entirely voluntary basis and the answer is also entirely voluntary.

As a result, there is a potential chance that the response will be biased. That is, those who are more likely to say "yes" will respond more.

Furthermore, the study's findings cannot be applied to all units in the population.