| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | S3 (Statistics 3) |
| Marks | 5 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Permutations & Arrangements |
| Type | Linear programming and optimization |
| Difficulty | Easy -1.2 This is a straightforward question on sampling methods requiring only recall of definitions and standard advantages/disadvantages. No calculations or problem-solving are involved—students simply need to describe the systematic sampling procedure and state textbook comparisons with simple random sampling. This is easier than average A-level content. |
| Spec | 2.01c Sampling techniques: simple random, opportunity, etc2.01d Select/critique sampling: in context |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Part (a) | B3 | list volunteers from random pt in table look at 2-digit nos until get one from 01 to 12 take this one from list and then every 12th person on list |
| Part (b) | B2, (5) | e.g. advantage – quicker; disadvantage – not random unless list is, so may introduce bias |
**Part (a)** | B3 | list volunteers from random pt in table look at 2-digit nos until get one from 01 to 12 take this one from list and then every 12th person on list
**Part (b)** | B2, (5) | e.g. advantage – quicker; disadvantage – not random unless list is, so may introduce biasA charity has 240 volunteers and wishes to consult a sample of them of size 20.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Explain briefly how a systematic sample can be taken using random numbers. [3]
\item Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using systematic sampling compared with simple random sampling. [2]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel S3 Q1 [5]}}