Minds On
Ideas to think about…
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Some companies offer free samples to customers.
Throughout this learning activity, you can record your thoughts digitally, orally, or in print.
- Why might some companies provide free samples to customers?
- How might trying a free sample influence a customer to buy the product?
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Brainstorm
Reflect on the following scenario
A shop keeper would like to change their operating hours from 7am - 10pm to 24 hours a day. The extra customers might be worthwhile, but it would cost more to stay open for 24 hours a day.
- How might the owner determine if opening for 24 hours would be worth it?
- Who should the store owner survey?
- There are many ways to select a survey sample.
- Do you think one way would be more effective than another?
- Would it make sense for the shop keeper to survey everyone within 2km of the store? Explain your thinking.
Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Action
Let’s explore some definitions
- A population is the total set of subjects (e.g., individuals, objects, species) that fits a particular description. For example, salmon in Lake Ontario.
- A survey of an entire population is called a census.
- Sampling is defined as gathering information from a part of a population (known as a sample).
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Reflect on the following questions.
- When might someone conducting a survey want to use a sample?
- When might someone conducting a survey want to survey an entire population?
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Next, we will explore random sampling and design a survey using this method.
Random sampling is a sampling method. Participants in this method are selected randomly, or by chance. For example, if you plan to survey a group of your friends using a random sampling method, everyone in your friend group has the same chance to be selected.
Task 1: Design a survey using the random sampling method
You may:
- choose a group to survey
- generate your own fictional data
- discuss how you would design your survey (the purpose, the questions you would ask, the sampling method, and the population)
As you design your survey, consider the following recommendations:
- Determine the purpose of your survey.
What question do you want to answer?
-
For example, you could consider:
- What season do you enjoy?
- What is your preferred winter sport?
- Try to provide up to five options.
-
For example, you could consider:
- Decide on your sampling method. In this case, you will select a group from which you will survey people at random.
- Identify the sample population you will survey. Who will you survey?
- As this is a random sample, you can interview any of the people from the group you choose. Aim to survey at least 12 participants at random.
- Conduct your survey and collect your data.
- Analyze your data.
Conduct your survey and record the data by completing the Sample Survey Table in your notebook or use the following fillable activity document. You can also record the data using a method of your choice.
| Purpose (E.g., What question do you want to answer?) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sampling method: Random | ||||
| Sampling population (E.g., The number of friends you will interview) | ||||
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 | Option 5 |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Sample Survey Table.
Task 2: Population and sample
Student Success
Student Success
Determine the population and sample in each scenario.
- The schools in a city were asked to participate in a survey to determine which schools have a garden.
- Teachers at a high school surveyed their students to better understand their interests.
- A nonprofit organization surveyed 100 people on the transportation method used to get to work.
- A student surveyed their 26 classmates to find out what games they want to play at their end-of-semester celebration.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Consolidation
Let’s reflect on our learning
Task 1: Sample or census?
Explore the following survey questions and determine whether you would survey a population or a sample. Select the correct answer.
Task 2: Reflect
“It is better to conduct a census than a survey.”
Do you agree with this statement, why or why not? Record your response using a method of your choice.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.