Systematic sampling methods

A question is this type if and only if it asks to explain, describe, or calculate parameters for systematic sampling (selecting every kth item from a list).

3 questions · Easy -1.6

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Edexcel S3 2022 January Q1
8 marks Easy -1.2
  1. The Headteacher of a school is thinking about making changes to the school day. She wants to take a sample of 60 students so that she can find out what the students think about the proposed changes.
The names of the 1200 students of the school are listed alphabetically.
  1. Explain how the Headteacher could take a systematic sample of 60 students.
    1. Explain why systematic sampling is likely to be quicker than simple random sampling in this situation.
    2. With reference to this situation,
      • explain why systematic sampling may introduce bias compared to simple random sampling
  3. give an example of the bias that may occur when using this alphabetical list
    4. When the Headteacher completes the systematic sample of size 60 she finds that 6 students were to be selected from Year 9. The Head of Mathematics suggests that a stratified sample of size 60 would be a more appropriate method. There were 200 students in Year 9.
  4. Explain why this suggests that a stratified sample of size 60 may be better than the systematic sample taken by the Headteacher.
Edexcel S3 2024 June Q1
4 marks Easy -1.8
  1. The names of the 400 employees of a company are listed alphabetically in a book.
The chairperson of the company wishes to select a sample of 8 employees.
The chairperson numbers the employees from 001 to 400
  1. Describe how the list of numbers can be used to select a systematic sample of 8 employees.
  2. State one disadvantage of systematic sampling in this case.
  3. Write down the probability that the sample includes both the first name (employee 001) and the last name (employee 400) in the list.
Edexcel S3 2018 Specimen Q1
5 marks Easy -1.8
  1. The names of the 720 members of a swimming club are listed alphabetically in the club's membership book. The chairman of the swimming club wishes to select a systematic sample of 40 names. The names are numbered from 001 to 720 and a number between 001 and \(w\) is selected at random. The corresponding name and every \(x\) th name thereafter are included in the sample.
    1. Find the value of \(w\).
    2. Find the value of \(x\).
    3. Write down the probability that the sample includes both the first name and the second name in the club's membership book.
    4. State one advantage and one disadvantage of systematic sampling in this case.