Part (b) for 3 marks required an identification and explanation of three methods for selecting a sample. This was answered well by most candidates.

Nearly all candidates could identify three sampling methods and so attained at least half of the available marks.

However, weaker answers failed to explain the methods adequately. Answers such as “random selection method – pick sample randomly” would only have scored ½ mark for the identification of the method. It would have scored nothing for the explanation as this is not how this method works.

In addition a small minority focused on statistical and non-statistical sampling rather than the methods for picking samples. Also some candidates started their answers with a general definition of what sampling is; this was not required and so scored no marks.