MDM4U – Module 1: Statistics – Topic 1: Collecting and Presenting Data – Lesson 1 Date:___________
Data Types & Sampling Techniques
A. Definitions
The study of statistics can be very rewarding given the patience and precision it deserves. To begin this unit, we’ll
first look at some statistical language that we need to understand before we continue.
Statistics –
Datum –
Raw Data –
Types of Data:
Video link: Types of Data
B. Gathering and Obtaining Data
A large part of statistics is gathering information; mathematicians and statisticians analyse data but it must be
collected before we can analyse it! Statistics Canada is the body within the Canadian Government responsible for
the collection of census data from all Canadians & residents of Canada. In order to collect data, we must consider the
planning of simple sample surveys.
A survey is used to estimate attributes of human populations. A census is a survey that examines every unit of the
population, such as the Canadian Census Survey conducted every 5 years. Although conducting a census is a very
accurate method of acquiring data, it is very costly and time-consuming.
Is there a way we can get highly accurate results without conducting a census?
B. Sampling Terminology
Population:
Sampling Frame :
Sample :
Ex. 1: For a Data Management project, you wish to look at the effect that having a part-time job has on the grades of
students in grade 12 in Ontario. Your principal will not let you survey students outside of your school, and your print
account is almost empty (you only have enough to print out 30 surveys!).
Identify the population, sampling frame and sample for your project.
Population:
Sampling Frame:
Sample:
C. Sampling Techniques/Protocols
Once you have identified the population, you need to decide how you will obtain your data. If the population is
small, you might be able to complete a census and survey the entire group. For larger populations, it will probably be
best to use an appropriate sampling technique. If selected carefully, a relatively small sample can give quite
accurate results!
There are a number of sampling techniques that we will investigate in this lesson. They include simple random
sampling, cluster sampling, convenience sampling, stratified sampling, systematic sampling, multistage sampling and
voluntary response sampling.
Example: i) Simple Random Sampling (SRS) – refer to entry 1 in Sampling Techniques Table.
Ex. 2: An MDM4U student is interested in studying the proportion of students in their class who take public
transportation to get to school. Since the student is very busy and does not want to ask everyone in the class, the
student will conduct the survey only with those students who roll a _______, ______, or _______ on their die.
a) Did the student use SRS? Explain.
b) What is the population, sampling frame and sample?
Population:
Sampling Frame:
Sample:
c) Eleven (11) students in a class of 31 roll a 1 or 6. Of these, 5 use public transportation to get to school. Compare
this to the true proportion of our class.
CW: Complete a table comparing the seven sampling techniques outlined on p. 114-116 in your textbook.
Practice questions on p. 117 #1-4, 8.
