AP Statistics First Semester Project: Response Bias
The Purpose: To investigate how much different forms of bias can affect the results of a survey.
The Project:
• The project must be done in groups of two. You will turn in one proposal per pair.
• A brief presentation and poster will be required for each group. NO REPORT NEEDED!
Due Dates:
• Proposal: Tuesday, 30 October posted on edline by the time your class meets on that day
• Poster: On your presentation date, Monday-Tuesday, 26-27 November
• Late work will be penalized 20% per day, even if you are absent.
Topics: You will design a survey on an interesting topic of your choice, but you must design it so you can
address ONE of the following questions:
• Is it possible to word a question in two different ways that are logically equivalent, but generate very
different responses?
• Do the characteristics of the interviewer affect the responses?
• Does anonymity change the response to sensitive questions?
• Does providing extra information affect the response?
• Does manipulating the answer choices change the response?
NOTE: You may choose another form of bias, if you get special approval from the teacher. You should
compare at least two different groups. Usually this includes a “control” question that is “normal” and
unbiased and a second group that is biased in a certain direction. You could also choose to have two biases,
one that will tilt in one direction and one in the other direction.
You will not be penalized, if you do not succeed in creating a large bias.
Proposal (typed only): Nothing inappropriate, extreme, boring, or obvious.
1. A definition of the population. Your population does not need to be from VNHS nor should you
interrupt any classes.
2. A copy of your survey question(s.)
3. A short description of how you will create bias and in what direction you think the bias will swing,
which may or may not happen.
4. Where and how you will collect your data including a detailed explanation of how randomization
will be included. You will survey 50 people per question.
10 points: Points will be deducted for proposals that are late, missing information, and/or need to be
resubmitted. See the example of a full credit proposal on wikispaces.
Poster: The poster should completely summarize your project, yet be simple enough to be understood by a
freshman. Do not make it heavy (NO thick poster board.) I want to hang up your poster on the wall of
fame! It should be pleasing to the eye and readable from far away. There will be BRIEF statement
explaining your work and project. The colors are crucial to communicating your bias; use a consistent color
key, so the change can be easily spotted. Use rounded-off whole PERCENTS not numbers. Include
pictures of you collecting your data!
20 points: (Detailed point breakdown to follow.)
Oral Presentation (5 min max): Both group members need to participate equally. Your poster should be
use as a visual aid. To receive full credit for your presentation, your group must speak clearly with
confidence and ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE. Dressing the part is always a good way to do this, if it’s
appropriate for your project. There is not time for elaborate props/media set-up. Your task is to be
engaging yourselves.
20 points: (Detailed point breakdown to follow.)
Examples of Successful Projects:
“Does Gender Bias the Response?” by Stacey Chiang and Tina Rothstein
1. “Do you believe that a woman’s place is in the kitchen?” (When asked by a female: 12% yes)
2. “Do you believe that a woman’s place is in the kitchen?” (When asked by a male: 32% yes)
“Would you eat this burger?” by Marine Arzumanyan and Haykui Poladyan
1. “Would you eat this burger?” (When shown a picture of the burger alone: 48% yes)
2. “Would you eat this burger?” (When shown a picture of the burger next to the nutrition facts showing
1000 calories and 62 g of fat: 28% yes)
“Do you read Harry Potter?” By Devon Mercer and Madeleine Morgenstern
1. “Do you read Harry Potter?”
(52% No)
2. “Harry Potter is a series with children as its intended audience. Do you read Harry Potter?” (72% No)
“Gay Marriage” by John Ghazaryan and Jordan Scharping
1. “Do you support gay marriages in California?” (When not holding hands: 47% yes)
2. “Do you support gay marriages in California?” (When holding hands: 70% yes)
“Cartoons”, by Sean Wu and Brian Hartzheim
1. “Do you watch cartoons?” (90% yes)
2. “Do you still watch cartoons?” (60% yes)
“Milk vs. Orange Juice”, by Angela Chen and Sharon Lai
1. “Which do you prefer, milk or orange juice, as a breakfast drink?” (milk: 14%)
2. “Milk contains high levels of vitamin D and calcium. Do you prefer milk or orange juice as a breakfast
drink?” (milk: 64%)
“Cheating”, by Wilson Kurniawidjaja, Oliver Lee, and Charlene Wang
1. “Do you cheat in class?” (anonymous: 47% would)
2. “Do you cheat in class?” (not anonymous: 15% would)
“Time Online”, by Yale Lee and Helen Theung
1. “On average, how many hours do you spend online each week: 0-5, 6-10, 11-16, 17-25, 26-35, or
more?”
2. “On average, how many hours do you spend online each week: 0-5, 6-10, 11-16, or more?”
(For this question, the students anticipated that subjects would be embarrassed to put “more”. In the first
question, 50% answered over 17 hours, but in the second question, 0% did.)
This project was adapted from a similar one by Josh Tabor.