Freda’s sample is not a random sample and may not be a good representation of the population in her study for several reasons:
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Limited Sample Size: Freda only surveyed her Statistics classmates. This group may not accurately reflect the broader population of all high school students. Classmates may share similar backgrounds, interests, and educational experiences that influence their perspectives on learning math.
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Self-Selection Bias: Students who choose to enroll in a Statistics class may already have an interest in mathematics or a stronger academic inclination towards subjects that involve quantitative reasoning. As a result, their views may not represent the general opinion of high school students, many of whom may not take such classes or may feel differently about math.
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Non-Random Selection: A truly random sample involves selecting participants in a way that everyone in the population has an equal chance of being chosen. Since Freda surveyed only her classmates, there’s no randomness in her selection, making it likely that her findings are biased.
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Demographic Limitations: If her classmates come from similar socioeconomic backgrounds, geographic locations, or school types, their responses may reflect those limitations rather than the views of a diverse high school population.
In summary, because her sample is limited to her Statistics class and lacks randomness and diversity, it does not provide a good representation of high school students' beliefs about the necessity of learning math. To obtain a more accurate estimate, Freda should consider using a random sampling method that includes a broader and more diverse group of high school students.