Chapter 12, Problem 8E

To determine

To identify for the following reports about the statistical studies, the population, the population parameter of interest, the sampling frame, the sample, the sampling method including whether or not randomized was employed and any potential sources of bias you can detect and any problems you see in generalizing to the population of interest.

Explanation of Solution

It is given in the question that a question posted on the Lycos website asked visitors to the site to say whether they though that marijuana should be legally available for medicinal purposes. Thus, from this report we can identify that:

The population will be: All US adults.

The population parameter of interest will be: Part of population who thinks medical marijuana should be legal.

The sampling frame will be: Lycos website visitors.

The sample is: Those who answered the question on the website.

The sampling method including whether or not randomized was employed is: Voluntary response sample.

Any potential sources of bias you can detect and any problems you see in generalizing to the population of interest: Voluntary response bias - population who answer are unlikely to be representative of the entire US adult population.