One way MSNBC solicits the opinions of its news consumers is through the organization’s online Speak Out surveys. Using social media and its television and radio news shows, MSNBC encourages its news consumers to go online and respond to various opinion polls about trending topics. Typically the polls remain open. In one ongoing Speak Out poll, MSNBC asks, "Do you support open-carry gun laws in restaurants and retail stores?" As of May 10th, 2015, more than 24,000 people had responded to the poll, and 74% indicated, "Yes, such legislation makes me feel safer." What can we conclude from the poll? a. The results are believable, so the survey is not biased. b. The result is surprising but reasonable because people need to be able to defend themselves. c. Since the sample is large (more than 24,000), it is reasonable to conclude that approximately 74% of the public support open-carry gun laws in restaurants and retail stores. d. This survey is biased by voluntary response and probably overestimates the percentage of the public that supports open-carry gun laws in restaurants and retail stores.

d. This survey is biased by voluntary response and probably overestimates the percentage of the public that supports open-carry gun laws in restaurants and retail stores.

Explanation:

This sample shows a form od bias, that is to say biased by voluntary response.

It is important to note that during survey sampling, voluntary response bias is noted majorly when the sample partakers are self-nominated or self-indicated volunteers, as the case is in voluntary samples. Such situations can be seen in a call-in radio program that seeks for audience involvement in surveys on controversial issues (such as abortion, controlled action, gun control, and the likes). The aftermath of such sample will more of portray more persons than expected with very strong ideas.

That is the case of this question.

MSNBC news end users who are very good apostle for open-carry gun laws will have a higher tendency to turn up in reply to the poll. This will position the findings of the poll to automatically be in huge support of this response. The poll has a higher tendency of over stating the ratio of the public that go in line with open-carry gun laws in restaurants and retail stores as the case may be.