Miriam Wants To Determine How Many Students Will Attend The Football Game On Friday. She Plans On Conducting A Survey Of A Sample Of Students To Make An Estimate.What Sample Should Miriam Choose For The Survey?A. Every Student In Her First-period Class

Feb 27, 2025 by ADMIN 253 views

**Miriam's Football Game Survey: Choosing the Right Sample**

Introduction

Miriam, a student, is eager to determine the number of students who will attend the football game on Friday. To make an educated estimate, she plans to conduct a survey of a sample of students. However, choosing the right sample is crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of her results. In this article, we will explore the different types of samples Miriam can choose from and discuss the pros and cons of each.

What is a Sample?

A sample is a subset of individuals or items selected from a larger population to represent the characteristics of the entire population. In Miriam's case, the population consists of all students at her school, and she wants to estimate the number of students who will attend the football game.

Types of Samples

There are several types of samples that Miriam can choose from:

A. Every student in her first-period class

Pros:

Easy to select a sample, as it consists of students she already interacts with.
May provide a good representation of the students in her class.

Cons:

May not be representative of the entire school population.
Students in her first-period class may not be a random selection of students.
May be biased towards students who are more likely to attend the football game.

B. A random sample of students from the entire school

Pros:

More likely to be representative of the entire school population.
Reduces bias and ensures a more accurate estimate.
Can be selected using random sampling methods, such as drawing names from a hat.

Cons:

May be more difficult to select a sample, as it requires access to the entire school population.
May require more time and resources to conduct the survey.

C. A convenience sample of students who are likely to attend the football game

Pros:

Easy to select a sample, as it consists of students who are already interested in attending the football game.
May provide a good representation of students who are likely to attend the game.

Cons:

May be biased towards students who are more likely to attend the game.
May not be representative of the entire school population.

D. A stratified sample of students from different grade levels

Pros:

Can provide a more accurate estimate by selecting a sample from different grade levels.
Reduces bias and ensures a more representative sample.

Cons:

May be more difficult to select a sample, as it requires access to students from different grade levels.
May require more time and resources to conduct the survey.

Conclusion

Choosing the right sample is crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of Miriam's results. While every student in her first-period class may be an easy sample to select, it may not be representative of the entire school population. A random sample of students from the entire school is more likely to be representative, but may be more difficult to select. A convenience sample of students who are likely to attend the football game may be biased, while a stratified sample of students from different grade levels can provide a more accurate estimate. Ultimately, Miriam should choose a sample that is representative of the entire school population and minimizes bias.

Recommendation

Based on the pros and cons of each sample type, we recommend that Miriam choose a random sample of students from the entire school. This will ensure that her sample is representative of the entire school population and minimizes bias. Additionally, she can use random sampling methods, such as drawing names from a hat, to select her sample.

Tips for Conducting the Survey

Once Miriam has selected her sample, she should follow these tips to conduct the survey:

Use a clear and concise survey instrument: Ensure that the survey questions are easy to understand and relevant to the topic.
Use a random sampling method: Use a random sampling method, such as drawing names from a hat, to select her sample.
Minimize bias: Ensure that the sample is representative of the entire school population and minimizes bias.
Conduct the survey in a neutral location: Conduct the survey in a neutral location, such as a cafeteria or hallway, to minimize bias.
Ensure confidentiality: Ensure that the survey is confidential and that students' responses are anonymous.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the importance of choosing the right sample for Miriam's football game survey. We also explored the different types of samples she can choose from and provided recommendations for selecting a representative sample. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Miriam's survey.

Q: What is the purpose of Miriam's survey?

A: The purpose of Miriam's survey is to estimate the number of students who will attend the football game on Friday.

Q: Why is it important to choose a representative sample?

A: Choosing a representative sample is crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of Miriam's results. A representative sample will provide a more accurate estimate of the number of students who will attend the football game.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when selecting a sample?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when selecting a sample include:

Convenience sampling: Selecting a sample based on convenience rather than randomness.
Bias: Selecting a sample that is biased towards a particular group or characteristic.
Underrepresentation: Selecting a sample that underrepresents certain groups or characteristics.

Q: How can Miriam ensure that her sample is representative of the entire school population?

A: Miriam can ensure that her sample is representative of the entire school population by:

Using a random sampling method: Using a random sampling method, such as drawing names from a hat, to select her sample.
Selecting a sample from different grade levels: Selecting a sample from different grade levels to ensure that the sample is representative of the entire school population.
Minimizing bias: Minimizing bias by ensuring that the sample is representative of the entire school population.

Q: What are some tips for conducting the survey?

A: Some tips for conducting the survey include:

Using a clear and concise survey instrument: Ensuring that the survey questions are easy to understand and relevant to the topic.
Conducting the survey in a neutral location: Conducting the survey in a neutral location, such as a cafeteria or hallway, to minimize bias.
Ensuring confidentiality: Ensuring that the survey is confidential and that students' responses are anonymous.

Q: What are some common challenges that Miriam may face when conducting the survey?

A: Some common challenges that Miriam may face when conducting the survey include:

Low response rate: A low response rate may make it difficult to obtain accurate results.
Biased responses: Biased responses may be influenced by students' personal opinions or experiences.
Technical issues: Technical issues, such as equipment failure or internet connectivity problems, may hinder the survey process.

Q: How can Miriam overcome these challenges?

A: Miriam can overcome these challenges by:

Using a clear and concise survey instrument: Ensuring that the survey questions are easy to understand and relevant to the topic.
Conducting the survey in a neutral location: Conducting the survey in a neutral location, such as a cafeteria or hallway, to minimize bias.
Ensuring confidentiality: Ensuring that the survey is confidential and that students' responses are anonymous.
Using technology to facilitate the survey process: Using technology, such as online survey tools, to facilitate the survey process and minimize technical issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Miriam's football game survey is an important tool for estimating the number of students who will attend the football game on Friday. By choosing a representative sample and following best practices for conducting the survey, Miriam can ensure that her results are accurate and reliable. We hope that this Q&A article has provided valuable insights and tips for Miriam and other students who may be conducting similar surveys.