Question

A local news agency conducted a survey about unemployment by randomly dialing phone

numbers during the work day until it gathered responses from 1000 adults in its state. In

the survey, 19% of those who responded said they were not currently employed. In reality,

only 6% of the adults in the state were not currently employed at the time of the survey.

Which of the following best explains the difference in the two percentages?

a. The difference is due to sampling variability. We shouldn’t expect the results of a

random sample to match the truth about the population every time.

b. The difference is due to response bias. Adults who are employed are likely to lie and

say that they are unemployed.

c. The difference is due to undercoverage bias. The survey included only adults and did

not include teenagers who are eligible to work.

d. The difference is due to nonresponse bias. Adults who are employed are less likely to

be available for the sample than adults who are unemployed.

e. The difference is due to voluntary response. Adults are able to volunteer as a member

of the sample.

Short answer

Option d. is the best explanation for the difference in the two percentages because it is a nonresponse bias.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

We need to identify the best option which explains the difference in two percentages.

Explanation

Most employees, in my opinion, do not want to answer their phone. Some employees are too preoccupied with their job to answer the phone, resulting in nonresponse bias, hence the discrepancy is attributable to nonresponse bias. Adults who are employed are less likely than those who are jobless to be available for the survey.