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  1. The following describes the type of sampling method used in each example.
    1. A bingo game uses the simple random sampling method. All the numbers (total population) are put into a barrel and the required number (sample) are drawn at random. Each item has an equal chance of selection. Return to question 1a
    2. A Canadian election is an example of non-random sampling (volunteer sampling) because each member of the population (18 years or older) can participate if they so desire. Return to question 1b
    3. A census does not employ simple random sampling because every member of the target population must be included. Return to question 1c
  2. Given the sample size of 300 survey participants from a population of 2,700 employees,
    1. the sampling interval would be nine (2,700 ÷ 300 = 9). Return to question 2a
    2. the first 5 numbers of the sample would be 8, 17, 26, 35 and 44. Return to question 2b
  3. The following is a complete table showing the population figures for Canada’s provincial and territorial capitals, according to the 2006 Census of Population.
    1.  
      Table 1.  Population of capital cities in Canada, 2006
      Capital Territory/Province Population
      2006 Census
      Whitehorse Yukon 20,461
      Yellowknife Northwest Territories 18,700
      Iqaluit Nunavut 6,184
      Victoria British Columbia 78,057
      Edmonton Alberta 730,372
      Regina Saskatchewan  179,246
      Winnipeg Manitoba 633,451
      Toronto Ontario  2,503,281
      Québec Quebec 491,142
      Fredericton New Brunswick 50,535
      Halifax Nova Scotia 372,679
      Charlottetown Prince Edward Island 32,174
      St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador 100,646
      Return to question 3a
    2. The total population size for Canadian capitals would be 5,216,928. Return to question 3b
    3. The information from Table 1 states that:
      1. Hockey was most popular in Toronto and least popular in Fredericton.
      2. Lacrosse was most popular in Victoria and least popular in Yellowknife.
      3. Curling was most popular in Québec and least popular in Regina.
      4. Ringette was most popular in Fredericton and least popular in Toronto.
      Return to question 3c
    4. The data could be organized by sex and age. Respondents could also be asked to indicate whether or not they have played the sport in the past or in the present, or whether they are simply a fan. Similar questions could also be asked. Return to question 3d
  4. Given the information provided by Table 3 in Question 4:
    1. The total student population of the Poplar Ridge Academy is 950. Return to question 4a
    2. A sample of 50% of the school’s student population would equal 475 students. Return to question 4b
    3. The number of male kindergarten students to be included in a sample of 475 is 4 or 5.

      9/950 x 475 = 4.5

      Return to question 4c
    4. The sampling method used here is stratified sampling. Return to question 4d
    5. The following table features the breakdown of the 180 member sample so that it is proportionate to gender by grade level. Return to question 4e

      Table 3.  Number of students by sex and grade level needed to make a sample of 180 students, Poplar Ridge Academy
        Kindergarten 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
      Boys 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 5 15 14 13 13 11
      Girls 1 2 2 2 2 3 7 6 12 12 12 17 13
      Total 3 4 4 4 4 7 11 11 27 26 25 30 24