A study is surveying basketball players and are interested in making inference on their mean height. After measuring and recording all of their heights, the researchers find out that the ruler that was used to assess their heights was warped/stretched. Thus, all of the recorded heights are underestimates of the actual heights.

What is this an example of?

Question

A study is surveying basketball players and are interested in making inference on their mean height. After measuring and recording all of their heights, the researchers find out that the ruler that was used to assess their heights was warped/stretched. Thus, all of the recorded heights are underestimates of the actual heights.

What is this an example of?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In this scenario, the researchers are using a measuring instrument (a ruler) that is not accurate because it is warped or stretched. This means every height measurement recorded will be systematically lower than the true height. Such a consistent, instrument-based distortion is a classic example of measurement bias, where the data collected deviate from the truth in a predictable, non-random way due to flaws in the measurement process.

Because the instrument causes all measurements to be artificially low, the study’s estimate of the mean height will also be biased downward, leading to underestimation of the true average height of the players. This is different from random error, which would cause measurements to be sporadically high or low around the true value without a consistent direction.

If there were answer choices, the incorrect options would typically represent other error types or biases, such as:
- Sampling bias: bias introduced by how participants are chosen, not by measurement tools.
- Random error: variability that is random and averages out with a large sample, not a consistent under- or overestimation.
- Systematic bias due to participant behavior: bias arising from participants' responses rather than from an instrument flaw.
- Instrument reliability issues that cause inconsistent readings: this would be more about precision (consistency) rather than the consistent underestimation caused by a warped ruler.

In short, the warped/stretched ruler skews all measurements in a single direction, which is the hallmark of measurement bias affecting the study’s mean height estimation.

STA304H1 S Module 2 - Quick (15 min) Quiz

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

When designing a sample survey, what is NOT an example of measurement bias?

A health organization sends out a survey asking participants, "How much do you agree that exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle?"(K:1)

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

Under the assumptions used in cost-volume-profit analysis, as the activity increases:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler