Braden wants to compare the types of ducks in two nearby ponds. He collected two samples using the following criteria. For sample 1, he counted the types of ducks on Walden Pond from 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. For sample 2, he counted the number of Mallard ducks that were on Brook’s Pond from 12 P.M. to 3 P.M. What would improve Braden’s plan? Select three options.
Answer
A
Braden should sample the ducks on each pond at the same time of day because animals are active at different times.
B
Braden should sample twice at each pond if he wants to make sure each sample is representative of the population.
C
Braden should count more than Mallard ducks on Brook’s Pond if he wants to compare the types of ducks on each pond.
D
Braden should only count Mallard ducks on Walden Pond so he counts the same types of ducks as he does at Brook’s pond.
E
Braden should include herons and geese in his samples because they also like ponds.
Explanation
To make a fair comparison, Braden should use the same sampling time on both ponds, since ducks’ activity can vary by time of day (A). Repeating the sampling at each pond can help make the results more representative (B). He must count more than Mallards at Brook’s Pond, because comparing duck types requires recording the different types there, not just one type (C).
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