Fieldwork That Answers a Question · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Planning fieldwork to test a prediction

Geography · People & Environments · ages 14-16
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. In a simple random sample, what does every listed eligible spot receive?

    • A guarantee that every zone will be sampled
    • A higher selection chance near the entrance
    • The same selection chance as every other spot

  2. Which question could you test with litter counts in equal-sized plots at noon?

    • Do plots near food shops have more litter than plots farther away?
    • Do residents dislike litter near food shops?
    • Do visitors prefer eating beside food shops or at picnic tables farther away?

  3. Choosing a random start on a path, then measuring every tenth metre, is systematic sampling.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. You choose systematic sampling along a permitted path. Which explanation gives a benefit and a real limitation?

    • Fixed gaps make every station typical of the whole site.
    • Fixed gaps give the same results as every random sample.
    • Fixed gaps spread stations, but may line up with repeated site features.

  5. You want to compare litter in dunes, a car park and a pier. Each zone has approved sampling areas. Which plan guarantees some observations from every zone?

    • Draw a small random sample from the whole beach
    • Take a sample within every zone
    • Place stations at fixed gaps along the car park path

  6. Replacing leading wording with neutral questions, then piloting and revising them, can reduce wording bias.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. Sampled litter counts show no clear difference between plots near and far from food shops. Which report fits?

    • No difference was found, proving shops never affect litter anywhere.
    • No clear difference appeared in this sample.
    • The prediction must hold, so omit counts that do not support it.

  8. Unsafe cliffs are excluded from your study. Within permitted ground, you sampled only beside the easiest path. What should you change?

    • Sample across permitted ground and report excluded areas.
    • Add unsafe cliff stations to cover the whole site.
    • Keep the path-only sample and report it as covering the entire site.
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Planning fieldwork to test a prediction W1-mt_ejnJbK_swN-s1

  1. The same selection chance as every other spot · The chance process gives every listed eligible spot the same selection chance. A small random sample can still miss a zone.
  2. Do plots near food shops have more litter than plots farther away? · Counting litter can compare amounts near and far from shops. The other questions ask for views, which could be studied with a survey.
  3. True · After the start, stations follow a fixed ten-metre interval. That makes this systematic sampling.
  4. Fixed gaps spread stations, but may line up with repeated site features. · Fixed intervals spread observations along the path, but repeating features can coincide with those intervals. Neither typical results nor identical samples are guaranteed.
  5. Take a sample within every zone · Sampling within every zone supplies data for all three parts of the comparison. A small whole-site random sample might miss a zone.
  6. True · Neutral wording avoids suggesting a preferred answer. A pilot can reveal remaining leading or unclear wording so it can be revised before the main survey.
  7. No clear difference appeared in this sample. · Report the observed result and collection method. No clear difference in one sample does not prove that differences never occur elsewhere.
  8. Sample across permitted ground and report excluded areas. · Sampling across approved ground reduces path-only coverage. The cliffs remain excluded, and the report must state that limit.
Worksheet · LightMySky