Prevalence of Math Homework Preferences Among Seventh Grade Students

Is there a sampling bias in the situation above? Final answer: Yes, there is a sampling bias in this situation as Selma only surveyed students in her music class, which may not accurately represent all seventh grade students.

Sampling Bias in the Survey

Sampling bias occurs when the sample used in a study is not representative of the entire population, leading to skewed or inaccurate results. In this case, Selma's survey among seventh grade students about their math homework preferences may exhibit sampling bias due to the exclusive focus on students in her music class.

Reasons for Sampling Bias

The potential reasons for sampling bias in Selma's survey include:

  • The preference for background music among students in the music class may not reflect the preferences of all seventh graders.
  • Students in a music class may be more inclined to enjoy background music while studying, compared to students in other classes.

Impact on Study Results

The presence of sampling bias in Selma's survey can undermine the credibility and generalizability of the findings. The results may not accurately represent the overall preferences of seventh grade students when it comes to doing math homework either in silence or with background music.

Addressing Sampling Bias

To avoid sampling bias, researchers should strive to select a more diverse and representative sample that reflects the characteristics of the entire population of interest. By incorporating students from various classes and backgrounds, Selma could have obtained a more comprehensive view of seventh grade students' preferences for doing math homework.

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