CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.3
The standard
Recognize the purposes of and differences among sample surveys, experiments, and observational studies; explain how randomization relates to each.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
What this standard means
Students need to tell the difference between a sample survey, an experiment, and an observational study. They should know what each one is used for, what kind of question it can answer, and how random selection or random assignment affects the strength of the conclusion.
Mastery looks like matching a study design to a research question and explaining what can and cannot be claimed. Students often mix up random sampling with random assignment. They also tend to say an observational study proves cause and effect, when it only shows association.
Ways to teach it
- Give groups three study cards, a poll, a treatment test, and a health record study, and have them sort by survey, experiment, or observational study.
- Ask students to write one sentence explaining why random assignment helps show cause and effect, but random sampling helps represent a population.
- Use four short study descriptions as an exit ticket, asking students to label the design and identify the type of randomization used.
- Have students compare a school lunch survey, a new homework policy trial, and a study of sleep habits using data from student schedules.
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Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.A
Understand and evaluate random processes underlying statistical experiments
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.5
Use data from a randomized experiment to compare two treatments; use simulations to decide if differences between parameters are significant.
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.A.1
Understand that statistics can be used to gain information about a population by examining a sample of the population; generalizations about a population from a...
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B
Make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys, experiments, and observational studies