---
title: "Samples and surveys"
course: "DATA 101 · Question the numbers"
unit: "Where data comes from"
lesson: 9 of 16
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/question-the-numbers/samples-and-surveys
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Samples and surveys

Lesson 9 of 16 in **Question the numbers** (DATA 101), unit "Where data comes from". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Explain what a sample is and why a random sample can represent a larger group.
- Spot sampling bias in examples such as online polls, voluntary reviews and surveys of only current customers.
- Explain in plain words why a larger random sample gives a smaller margin of error, and why size cannot fix a biased sample.
- Spot leading or confusing survey questions and rewrite them neutrally.

## Teaching notes
Use a scenario: an invented gym chain, Summit Fitness, surveys members who visit on Saturday mornings about class times. Ask who is missing. Keep margin of error intuitive; no formulas needed.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 9 complete: Samples and surveys."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Correlation and causation" (lesson 10 of 16), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/question-the-numbers/correlation-and-causation.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Challenge: chart critic
Next lesson: Correlation and causation