AQA GCSE · Question 06.2 · Data Collection and Sampling Methods
State the population of his study.
How to approach this question
1. Understand the definition of a population in a statistical study: the entire group that the study is about.
2. Read the description of Tom's study: "a statistical study into the amount of homework received by Year 7 and Year 11 students in his school."
3. Identify the specific groups mentioned: Year 7 students and Year 11 students.
4. Identify the location mentioned: "in his school".
5. Combine these to define the entire group of interest.
Full Answer
The population is the complete set of individuals that the statistical study aims to investigate. Tom's study is specifically about "Year 7 and Year 11 students in his school". Therefore, the population is not just all students, or all Year 7s, but specifically the members of both of those year groups within that particular school.
Common mistakes
✗ Stating just "students" (too vague).
✗ Stating "Year 7 and Year 11 students" (missing the location "in his school").
✗ Describing the sample instead of the population.
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