Comment on each of the following as a potential sample survey question. Is the q
ID: 3314396 • Letter: C
Question
Comment on each of the following as a potential sample survey question.
Is the question clear?
Is it slanted toward a desired response?
Step 1:
It is estimated that disposable diapers account for less than 2% of the trash in today's landfills. In contrast, beverage containers, third-class mail, and yard wastes are estimated to account for about 21% of the trash in landfills. Given this, in your opinion, would it be fair to ban disposable diapers?
Step 2:
Given the current trend of more home runs and more injuries in baseball today, do you think that steroid use should continue to be banned even though it is not enforced?
Step 3:
In view of escalating environmental degradation and incipient resource depletion, would you favor economic incentives for recycling of resource-intensive consumer goods?
What are the alternatives to disposable diapers?) The question is written to favor a negative answer.
One argument is given against banning disposable diapers and no counterargument is given.
The question also uses the word fair, which has a very strong, moral connotation. The question is complicated and it is not clear why other kinds of waste are relevant to the question and if disposable diapers should be banned or not. The question is written in a clear non-biased manner.
Explanation / Answer
Step 1 :
It is estimated that disposable diapers account for less than 2% of the trash in today's landfills. In contrast, beverage containers, third-class mail, and yard wastes are estimated to account for about 21% of the trash in landfills. Given this, in your opinion, would it be fair to ban disposable diapers?
Answer : The correct option is
The question is written to favor a negative answer.
One argument is given against banning disposable diapers and no counterargument is given.
The question also uses the word fair, which has a very strong, moral connotation.
Step 2:
Given the current trend of more home runs and more injuries in baseball today, do you think that steroid use should continue to be banned even though it is not enforced?
Answer : - The correct option is,
The question is slanted because it most probably will only be answered by people who enjoy watching baseball and similar sports.
Step 3:
In view of escalating environmental degradation and incipient resource depletion, would you favor economic incentives for recycling of resource-intensive consumer goods?
Answer : The correct option would be,
The wording is too technical for many people to understand - and for those that do understand it, it is slanted because it suggests reasons why one should support recycling. It is also vague (what sort of financial incentives? How much would this cost?).