In surveying married women about household responsibilities, what flaw is present in Dr. Friedman's approach?

In the context of Dr. Friedman’s approach, the presence of a flaw in asking hypothesis-confirming questions is significant because it indicates a potential bias in the collection of data. When a researcher asks questions designed to confirm a specific hypothesis, they may inadvertently steer participants towards responses that support that hypothesis, rather than allowing for a more open and unbiased exploration of the topic. This can compromise the validity of the research findings because the data collected may not accurately reflect the true experiences or opinions of the married women being surveyed.

In contrast, using a random sample is generally a strength, as it enhances the generalizability of the findings. Including open-ended questions provides participants the opportunity to express their thoughts in their own words, adding richness to the data. Additionally, avoiding leading questions is crucial for ensuring that the responses are not influenced by the way questions are phrased, allowing for a more truthful and authentic response from the participants. Each of these elements contributes positively to the integrity of the research, reinforcing why the decision to ask hypothesis-confirming questions represents a flaw in this scenario.