A scientist studying soil acidity collected soil samples from a plot of land with a stream running through it. The soil samples came from land located on only one side of the stream. What is the potential source of bias that might result from the sampling method?

Voluntary response bias

Undercoverage bias

Nonresponse bias

Response Bias, where responses are self-reported

Response Bias, where the question wording is leading or confusing

Undercoverage bias

Explanation:

Undercoverage bias is a type of bias that occur in research during sampling, whereby the sample collected is unrepresentative of the target population under study. This occurs when an element of the population under study is not given equal chance of being selected in the sample process.

As stated in the question above, only soil samples from the land located at one side of the stream were collected while neglecting the soil samples from the other side of the land divided by running stream. The sample collected is unrepresentative of the target population, which is the plot of land. The potential source of bias that might result from the sampling method is undercoverage bias.