Polling: Sample Variation and the Margin of Error
Comments
Contributed By
- Original Source:Illuminations
Conditions of Use:None Specified
Description
This activity, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, highlights the critical importance of sampling by making a connection to getting accurate results in polls. The students are first introduced to the concept of the margin of error and why this can occur in the same population. The students develop an understanding of why there is variation and how to use this variation to correctly interpret the data. The students are given an activity in which they are drawing random samples and observing the differences each time so that they can construct a graph of their findings. By understanding why these differences occur, the students are ready to tackle the tougher side of statistics and develop a deeper understanding of why the numbers change. The total time required is estimated at 2 hours, although clearly much more time could be invested. Complete resources for carrying the lesson are provided, including handouts, a detailed teaching procedure, ideas for extension or additional exploration, and other related online resources. Students will gain insights into sampling, an important area of data analysis that is not well understood by the general population, and see how real-life data often follows the bell curve. The use of this potentially interesting context may help them better understand the applicability of mathematics in contexts outside of the classroom, and provide them with some insight into how the mathematical side of politics. Less
Learning Registry Activity
Bookmarks
Topics and Grades
Grade: 9 to 12
Topics: Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability, Calculus, Mathematics
Resource Pedagogy
Resource Type/Classification:
- Teacher Materials
Tool for: Teachers, Parents, Administrators
Tags/Keywords
Instructional Strategy
Teaching Method: Cooperative Learning; Simulation; Discussions