The results of a CBS News Poll concerning views on same-sex marriage and gay rights given in the table that follows show that there is no consensus on this issue among Americans.

a. Is this an observational study or a planned experiment?
b. Is there the possibility of problems in responses arising because of the somewhat sensitive nature of the subject? What kinds of biases might occur?

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CBS News Poll. August 20-24, 2010. N 1,082 adults nationwide. MoE 3. "Which comes closest to your view? Gay couples should be allowed to legally marry. OR, Gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry. OR, There should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship Legal Marriage Civil Unions Recognition Unsure No Legal All adults Republicans 25 Democrats4 Independents 44 (96) 30 34 27 29 25 37 20 21 40