Question detail

Explain why a larger sample size generally leads to more reliable fieldwork data, and give one example of how you might increase sample size in a survey of local wildlife.

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

At a glance

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Topic

Numerical skills

Question

Explain why a larger sample size generally leads to more reliable fieldwork data, and give one example of how you might increase sample size in a survey of local wildlife.

Answer

A larger sample size reduces the influence of random variation and gives a more representative picture of the population, making the data more reliable. For example, instead of recording the number of birds seen at a single observation point, you could record birds at several points around the reserve and combine the counts.

Explanation

The answer demonstrates understanding of sample size and reliability, key aspects of the learning objective.

Common mistake

Misunderstanding Sample Size Importance

Students often believe that a larger sample size does not significantly affect the reliability of data collection.

Emphasize that a larger sample size generally increases the reliability of results by reducing the impact of anomalies and providing a more accurate representation of the population.

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