Sampling, data and bias

3: Data-sets 1 - attitudes & beliefs by region and demographic

Required Resources

• Student Worksheet 1
• Slides 6-7

Delivery

• Episode 3 invites students to consider data-sets compiled by MORI following research carried out in April 2007 into the reputation of the Armed Forces. Further information on this research is detailed in 'Preparation and Planning' and it may be beneficial to give students this background before commencing or to project it on the interactive whiteboard for students to look at as they work.
• Students complete Worksheet 1 individually or in pairs, answering a series of questions based on the data tables provided. A couple of examples are provided and you may wish to work these through with the class. Questions invite interpretation of data and consideration of the attitudes of respondents. Slides 7-8 bring the various demographics to life.
• You may need to assist students with some of the vocabulary employed in this episode.

Differentiation

Lower Ability:

Focus on interpretation of the data rather than consideration of the factors that may have influenced opinion. Students can start by simply ringing figures that indicate high or low percentage agreement with a statement.
Ask students to identify one group with which they feel they have most in common and why.

Higher Ability:

Ask students to identify any groups about which they would want to know more, or any attitudes held that they would like to explore further and to consider how they would approach this.

Introduce the term 'sample size' and some of the criteria that research companies apply to research to ensure that their findings are robust.