What Was Wrong with the Survey Done by Literary Digest

question 4

Multiple Choice

What was wrong with the survey done by Literary Digest in 1936?

• A)their sample did not accurately reflect the proportions of Republicans and Democrats
• B)they only had 10% of their surveys returned
• C)they used simple random sampling instead of the more sophisticated cluster sampling
• D)they used cluster sampling, when stratified sampling was required

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Definitions:

Cross-Sectional Study

This observational research approach evaluates information from either an entire population or a sample that reflects it, focusing on a singular time frame.

Longitudinal Study

A research design that involves repeated observations of the same variables (e.g., people) over short or long periods of time, often years or even decades.

Selective Attrition

Selective attrition refers to the phenomenon where participants drop out of a study at different rates, often influenced by specific characteristics, which can bias the results.

Demand Characteristics

Aspects of an observational setting that cause people to behave as they think someone else wants or expects.