What question illustrates a bias in collecting information about professors?

The choice that illustrates a bias in collecting information about professors involves asking whether individuals have heard opinions comparing two specific professors. This type of question is inherently subjective and relies on hearsay rather than on personal experience or fact. Such a question can guide respondents toward a particular viewpoint, potentially leading them to adopt community-held biases rather than expressing their independent evaluations of each professor based on their own experiences.

When people respond to this type of question, their answers may reflect collective perceptions that may not accurately represent the actual teaching effectiveness or qualities of either professor. Bias can arise from the nature of the information shared among peers, which may be based on anecdotes, rumors, or limited knowledge rather than comprehensive assessments of teaching quality.

Questions focused on personal experiences or clear metrics, such as satisfaction with coursework or GPA, are less likely to introduce bias, since they rely on direct assessments rather than comparisons susceptible to subjective influence.