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Data Source Evaluation

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Data Source Evaluation

A local youth council is deciding whether to fund more drinking-water stations. A social media post claims that most Year 11 students in Aotearoa New Zealand prefer energy drinks to water. Examine the source notes below, then answer the questions. Use evidence from the notes and consider who was surveyed, how they were selected, how the question was worded, and who funded the research.

The claim and its sources

The claim being considered is: “Most Year 11 students prefer energy drinks to water.” Two sources report different results.

Feature

Source A: “Hydrate NZ” post

Source B: Youth council survey

Who collected it?

A drinks retailer; the post does not name a researcher.

A council research team; its method summary is published.

Who was asked?

120 followers of the retailer’s social media account. Ages are not stated.

600 Year 11 students selected at random from student rolls at participating secondary schools in several regions. The schools were selected from the participating schools, and then the students were selected from their school rolls.

Question and result

“Which drink do you choose for an energy boost?” 90% chose an energy drink.

“Which drink do you usually choose with lunch: water, an energy drink, or another drink?” 62% chose water; 8% chose an energy drink; 30% chose another drink.

Funding

The retailer sells energy drinks.

Council-funded; no drinks company contributed.

1.In this investigation, what is the target population: the people the researchers want their findings to describe?

2.Which source gives stronger evidence about what Year 11 students usually choose with lunch? Select the best answer.

Source A, because it has a high percentage.
Source B, because its sample and question better match the target population and claim.
Source A, because social media polls always represent young people.
Neither source, because percentages cannot be used to describe preferences.

3.Source A reports that 90% chose an energy drink. Explain why this result does not show that most Year 11 students prefer energy drinks to water.

4.Identify one possible conflict of interest in Source A and explain how it could affect the way the result is presented.

5.The Source B survey included 600 Year 11 students selected at random from student rolls at participating schools in several regions. Give one strength and one limitation of this sampling method.

6.Source B found that 62% chose water, 8% chose an energy drink, and 30% chose another drink. What conclusion is justified by these results, and what conclusion would go beyond the evidence?

7.True or false: A larger sample automatically makes a survey unbiased. Explain your choice using the source notes.

8.Rewrite Source A’s question as a more neutral survey question that measures students’ usual drink choice in a clearly stated situation.

9.The youth council can fund one more piece of research before making its decision. Recommend one improvement to the survey and explain how it would make the evidence more useful.