The campus safety committee has asked Professor Ibrahim to study bicycling on his campus. He trains two observers and has them o
bserve the number of cyclists and their safety at various points around campus. After completing the observational study, Professor Ibrahim sends a survey out to the entire campus about bicycle safety, and asks all bicyclists to respond. He finds a large difference between their reports of how safely they ride and what his observers found. What is the most likely cause of the self-report ratings being inconsistent with the observational data?
Answer: The most likely cause of the self-report ratings being inconsiderate with the observational data is; The bicyclists were probably responding in a socially desirable way on the self-report survey.
Explanation:
The bicyclists were doing this because they wanted to look good to the professor and whomever else would read the survey. The most likely theory is the bicyclists did not want to admit to their unsafe riding conditions. SOme of the bicyclists may not of even realized they were being unsafe. This survey will make them look better by not telling all of the truth or just not knowing they aren't riding correctly.
Professor Ibrahim will need to educate the bicyclists on the correct ways to obey the rules at the campus. This will keep accidents from occuring.
