Question

Checking for bias Comment on each of the following as a potential sample survey

question. Is the question clear? Is it slanted toward a desired response?

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

i. The government should confiscate our guns.

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

b. A freeze in 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?

Short answer

a. In my opinion more people will choose option ii as it draws out more responses against gun control.

b. Yes i agree because of the biasing of this question people will respond in favor of a nuclear freeze.

Step-by-step solution

Part(a) Step 1: Given information

We need to identify that which of the two options best represents gun control.

Part(a) Step 2: Explanation

This question is more likely to evoke anti-gun control reactions (i.e., more people will pick option ii) than it is to elicit pro-gun control answers (i.e., more people will select option ii). There is no room for a middle ground on gun control with the two alternatives provided.

Part(b) Step 1: Given information

We need to identify whether the given question is clear or not.

Part(b) Step 2: Explanation

Yes, I agree with this question since it favours the freezing of nuclear weapons, and the way the question is framed, people are more inclined to accept a nuclear moratorium. due to the fact that just one side of the story is conveyed.