Easy -1.8 This is a straightforward statistics question testing basic knowledge of simple random sampling methodology. It requires only recall of a standard procedure (assign numbers, use random number generator/table, select without replacement) with no mathematical calculation, problem-solving, or conceptual depth—well below average A-level difficulty.
Kevin is the Principal of a college.
He wishes to investigate types of transport used by students to travel to college.
There are 3200 students in the college and Kevin decides to survey 60 of them.
Describe how he could obtain a simple random sample of size 60 from the 3200 students.
[4 marks]
Question 16:
16 | Sets up enumerated population
using valid numbering stating
range used (PI) | AO2.4 | E1 | Give each student a number from
(000)1 to 3200 or equivalent
Generate random four digit
integers using calculator
Ignore repeats and any (random)
numbers outside the range
Continue until 60 different numbers
have been identified and select the
students given those numbers
Explains how to obtain sample with
respect to a specified range of
random numbers. Accept random
number generator / calculator set
to give numbers from 1 to 3200
Do not accept ‘drawn from a hat’
(impractical for 3200 population) | AO2.4 | E1
Explains how to deal with repeats
and random numbers outside
range (PI by both ‘different’
numbers and ‘numbers from 1 to
3200’ seen). | AO2.4 | E1
Explains how to select the 60
(expresses idea of matching
numbers to students or selecting
them) | AO2.4 | E1
Total | 4
Q | Marking Instructions | AO | Marks | Typical Solution
Kevin is the Principal of a college.
He wishes to investigate types of transport used by students to travel to college.
There are 3200 students in the college and Kevin decides to survey 60 of them.
Describe how he could obtain a simple random sample of size 60 from the 3200 students.
[4 marks]
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA AS Paper 2 2018 Q16 [4]}}