The journal Energy Policy (2014, 65: 57–67) presents a survey of opinions about fracking. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the process of drilling through rock and injecting a pressurized mixture of sand, water, and chemicals that fractures the rock and releases oil and gas. There has been much debate in the media about its impact on the environment, on land owners, and on the economy. The survey involved contacting a nationally representative sample of 1960 adults in 2012. Of the 1960 people contacted, 1061 adults responded to the survey. The study reported that those more familiar with fracking, women, and those holding egalitarian worldviews were more likely to oppose fracking.
a. Describe the population of interest for this study.
b. Explain why a census is not practical for this study. What advantages does sampling offer?
c. Explain how nonresponse bias might be an issue in this study.