Question

In an opinion poll conducted by \(A B C\) News, nearly \(80 \%\) of the teens said they were not interested in being the president of the United States. \(^{2}\) When asked "What's the main reason you would not want to be president?" they gave the responses as follows: Other career plans/no interest \(40 \%\) Too much pressure \(20 \%\) Too much work \(15 \%\) Wouldn't be good at it \(14 \%\) Too much arguing \(5 \%\) a. Are all of the reasons accounted for in this table? Add another category if necessary. b. Would you use a pie chart or a bar chart to graphically describe the data? Why? c. Draw the chart you chose in part b. d. If you were the person conducting the opinion poll, what other types of questions might you want to investigate?

Short answer

**Answer**: A pie chart would best represent the data provided because the data is given in percentages, which are ideal for illustrating proportions.

Step-by-step solution

a. Check if all reasons are accounted for.

To ensure all reasons are accounted for, we add up all the percentages given in the data: Other career plans/no interest: \(40\%\) Too much pressure: \(20\%\) Too much work: \(15\%\) Wouldn't be good at it: \(14\%\) Too much arguing: \(5\%\) Total: \(40\% + 20\% + 15\% + 14\% + 5\% = 94\%\) Since only \(94\%\) of the reasons are represented, we need to add another category called "Other reasons" to account for the remaining \(6\%\).

b. Pie chart or bar chart?

Both pie charts and bar charts are options for representing this data. A pie chart is appropriate when comparing proportional data, as it shows the relative size of individual categories in relation to the whole. A bar chart is suitable for comparing the actual values or sizes of different categories. In this case, a pie chart would be a better option because the data is given in percentages, which are ideal for illustrating proportions.

c. Draw the pie chart.

To draw the pie chart, we will represent each category as a slice of the pie. The size of the slice is determined by the percentage corresponding to the reason. Here is an example of a pie chart for the given data: 1. Other career plans/no interest: \(40\%\) 2. Too much pressure: \(20\%\) 3. Too much work: \(15\%\) 4. Wouldn't be good at it: \(14\%\) 5. Too much arguing: \(5\%\) 6. Other reasons: \(6\%\) Create a circle and divide it into six slices with their corresponding percentages as angles. Remember that the sum of all the angles in a circle is 360 degrees. Label each slice with the respective reason and its percentage. You can also use different colors for better clarity.

d. Suggest other types of questions.

If we were conducting the opinion poll, we might want to investigate questions related to: 1. Interest in other political positions, such as state governor, senator, or local positions. 2. Factors that may encourage them to pursue a career in politics. 3. The impact of role models in politics on their interests. 4. Their perception of the effectiveness of political leadership in solving societal problems. 5. Specific political issues the teens are passionate about.

Key concepts

Graphical Representation

Graphical representation of data is a powerful tool that allows us to visualize findings in a way that is easy to interpret at a glance. There are many types of charts and graphs available, each serving a specific purpose and offering unique advantages.
Pie charts and bar charts are two of the most common formats for displaying categorical data. A pie chart represents data as slices of a circle, with the size of each slice indicating the proportion of that category relative to the whole. This is especially useful for showing parts of a whole when data are presented in percentages. Bar charts, on the other hand, display data with rectangular bars, where the length of each bar is proportional to the value it represents, making them great for comparing different groups.

Percentages

Percentages are often used in data analysis because they provide a clear way to understand proportions. They are particularly useful when the goal is to compare data that are on the same scale, as they translate raw numbers into a form that is easy to comprehend.
In our example, the percentage of teens who do not want to be president can be broken down into specific reasons. By summing the percentages provided, it becomes apparent that not all responses are accounted for, necessitating an additional category, "Other reasons," to ensure completeness. Such use of percentages helps to represent data accurately and highlights areas that may have been overlooked.

• This supports adding categories when needed.
• Ensures representation of all data parts.

Poll Analysis

Poll analysis involves interpreting data collected from surveys to understand patterns and trends within a population. Conducting a poll effectively requires careful consideration of how the questions are structured and the format in which results are presented.
In the context of understanding teens' lack of interest in the presidency, poll analysis helps us identify the primary reasons behind their sentiments. With specific percentages attributed to various concerns, analysts can better grasp prevalent attitudes and infer potential influences or societal perceptions.

Survey Results

Survey results provide insights into the opinions and behaviors of a specific group. By systematically collecting this information, researchers can draw conclusions about broader trends and attitudes. The data from a survey can tell us not only how people feel about certain issues but also reveal underlying reasons for their preferences.
The results of the ABC News poll offer valuable understanding into why teens might shy away from political aspirations. Knowing that a large segment indicated career plans, pressure, or argumentativeness as discouraging factors, researchers can tailor further inquiries to explore these areas more deeply, possibly uncovering new directions or unexpected insights.

• Helps identify majority and minority opinions.
• Offers a baseline for further questioning and studies.