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Data Collection and Sampling MethodsFoundationsamplingbiasrepresentation

AQA GCSE · Question 17.8 · Data Collection and Sampling Methods

Give a reason why Tom should also find opinions of people where HS2 will not have a station.

How to approach this question

Tom's current plan is to sample people at HS2 stations. What kind of opinions is he likely to get there? Now think about people who live in towns that are *not* getting a station. How might their opinions differ, and why is it important to include them for a fair study?

Full Answer

To get a more representative and balanced view. People in areas without a station might be opposed because they see no direct benefit but still have to contribute through taxes, or they might live near the line and be affected by construction without getting a station.
To ensure his study is balanced and his sample is representative of the whole country's opinion, Tom must include people from various locations, not just those who will directly benefit from an HS2 station. People in areas without a station may have very different perspectives: - They might be more likely to be against it because they are not getting the benefits of a new station but are still affected by the costs (through national taxes) or disruption (if the line passes near their town). - Including their views prevents a biased sample that over-represents people who are likely to be in favour of the project. Therefore, sampling from non-station locations is crucial for the validity and generalisability of his findings.

Common mistakes

✗ Stating that he should just ask more people, without specifying *who* or *why*.\n✗ Giving a reason that is not relevant to the issue of representation.

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