What is Statistics?

1. Why is it better to survey a large number of people in a statistical investigation.

The more people who are included in a survey, the more accurate the results are likely to be. The sample should also be random to avoid the results being biased.

2. What is the difference between a sample and a census?

census covers all of the people in the group or population being studied.

sample is just some of the people in that population.

3. Why should a sample be random?

If a sample is not RANDOM it is likely to lead to BIASED results.

4. Can you give me an example of a biased sample?

If you were doing a survey of all New Zealanders, on who their favourite singer was, and you asked only teenage girls.

5. How can a RANDOM sample be selected?

There are lots of ways, ranging from picking names out of a hat to using computers.