Determine whether the source given below has the potential to create a bias in a statistical study.
A certain medical organization tends to oppose the use of meat and dairy products in our diets, and that
organization
...
Determine whether the source given below has the potential to create a bias in a statistical study.
A certain medical organization tends to oppose the use of meat and dairy products in our diets, and that
organization has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding from an animal rights foundation.
Choose the correct answer below.
A.
There does appear to be a potential to create a bias. There is an incentive to make the results statistically
insignificant.
B.
There does appear to be a potential to create a bias. There is an incentive to produce results that are in line
with the organization's creed and that of its funders.
Your answer is correct.
C.
There does not appear to be a potential to create a bias. The organization would not gain from putting spin on
the results.
D.
There does not appear to be a potential to create a bias. The organization is reputable and has many
professional and credible members.
1.1.7 Question Help
Determine whether the source given below has the potential to create a bias in a statistical study.
Washington University obtained word counts from the most popular novels of the past five years.
Choose the correct answer below.
A.
There does not appear to be a potential to create a bias. The organization is reputable and has many
professional and credible members.
B.
There does not appear to be a potential to create a bias. The organization would not gain from putting a spin
on the results.
Your answer is correct.
C.
There does appear to be a potential to create a bias. There is an incentive to produce results that are in line
with the organization's creed and that of its funders.
D.
There does appear to be a potential to create a bias. There is an incentive to make the results statistically
insignificant.
1.1.8 Question Help
An article noted that chocolate is rich in flavonoids. The article reports that "regular consumption of foods rich
in flavonoids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease." The study received funding from a candy
company and a chocolate manufacturers association. Identify and explain at least one source of bias in the
study described. Then suggest how the bias might have been avoided.
Choose the correct answer below.
A.
The questions used in the study might have caused the respondents to give inaccurate or dishonest
responses. The question wording should be changed to be more neutral.
B.
The data do not seem to support the claims being made by the article. The article's author should consult an
expert to make sure that he or she is correctly interpreting the study's results.
C.
Since the sample is self-selected, there is a definite participation bias in this study. The researchers should
randomly select the subjects of the study.
D.
The researchers may have been more inclined to provide favorable results because funding was provided by
a party with a definite interest. The bias could have been avoided if the researchers were not paid by the
candy company and the chocolate manufacturers.
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