Sampling, data and bias

4: Data-sets 2 - considering responses in context

Required Resources

• Student Worksheet 2

Delivery

• Student Worksheet 2 gives students an opportunity to delve more deeply into some of the data presented in Student Worksheet 1. Data is presented in new ways and further questions are asked, this time asking students to present their findings into usable information that can provide answers and to cross reference against their original source material. Anecdotal comments are included. Students consider the relevance of these reports to their understanding and findings.

Differentiation

Lower Ability:

The questions in Student Worksheet 2 develop the skills acquired in the previous worksheet. Lower ability students may need support with some of those questions that require cross-referencing between data tables or which require inference.

Higher Ability:

This Episode may prompt discussion of the role of the Researcher (in this case Mori). What should be his / her responsibilities? E.g. to impart impartiality and trust and to conduct interviews consistently. Students might contrast this type of opinion gathering with (for example) online questionnaires, where respondents may feel less inhibited thus driving honesty, but equally may be inclined to 'invent' a persona or to exhibit more extreme views. Students should consider the pros and cons of varying routes and reach the conclusion that the best approach is likely to employ a mix of data.