Statistical Studies and Polling Techniques

Sarah Jarnagin
Targets:
Chapter 4: Understanding the techniques of statistical surveys
and polls.
Objectives:
Understand vocabulary such as sample size, population, and
bias.
Use technology to explore real-world applications of vocabulary
to deepen understanding of how different sites conduct
statistical studies and polls.
Create a presentation of an article of your choice from Pew
Research or Gallup Polls and dissect the study conducted to
present to the class your understanding of the vocabulary in the
chapter.
Resources:
Statistics book
Laptop
Gallup Poll website
Pew Research website
Prezi/PowerPoint
Projector
Learning Plan (90 min):
Discuss Vocabulary and Research Sites (25 min)
Have students open their books to the first section of Chapter 4.
Have students pick out the vocabulary words within the section.
(should include sample size, population, bias, random sampling,
voluntary sampling, etc.)
Write list of words on the board and ask students if they know
any possible definitions based on prior knowledge.
Discuss how each word connects to student prior knowledge and
how we can use our knowledge to extend the definition into the
statistical realm (i.e. population is the group of people we are
studying)
Display both research sites on the projector and discuss how
each conducts their polls to gain their knowledge of populations
and display different statistical understandings.
Show videos from each describing how they run things.
Discuss Task (10 min)

Tell students that their goal today is to conduct more research of

how polls work and to present their findings to the class.
Show students an example article and describe what we are
looking for.
o What site is it from?
o What topic is being studied?
o What population is being studied?
o What is the sample size?
o How did they conduct the poll/how did they choose their
sample?
o What details are mentioned within the article about the
study or the topic in general?
o What graphs represent the data and what do they mean?
o What conclusion did the researchers come to?
o What bias is contained within the study and how might it
affect the conclusion?
o Do you agree with the conclusion? Why or why not?

Student Work Time (45 min)

Have students pick a partner and grab a laptop to begin research
and putting together a presentation.
Give students time to ask questions and work through their
findings.
Close (10 min)
If students are finished, have the first group present (voluntary or
selection).
If not, remind students that next class period will be dedicated to
presentations and that they should consider some questions to
ask of their peers.
Have students complete the first 20 problems in this section as
homework.
Assessments
Homework
Informally check understanding by walking around and looking at
completed homework. Take note of common mistakes.
Presentations
Check student understanding of vocabulary and task directions
by watching each pairs presentation.
Check student critical thinking of this chapter by assessing the
questions they ask during their peers presentations.