Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Business → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Business
Lesson Topic: the need for and limitations of sampling
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe why sampling is essential for cost‑effective, timely, and practical market research.
  • Identify and explain the main limitations of sampling, including sampling error, bias, non‑response, and coverage errors.
  • Apply basic calculations to estimate margin of error and confidence intervals for a sample.
  • Evaluate strategies to mitigate sampling limitations in real‑world business contexts.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • PowerPoint slides summarising key concepts
  • Printed handout with sample data set and calculation worksheet
  • Scientific calculators or spreadsheet software
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Post‑it notes for quick brainstorming
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “How many of you have ever taken a survey online?” Use the responses to highlight that most surveys rely on a sample, not the whole market. Link this to prior knowledge of market research and state that today students will understand why sampling is necessary and what can go wrong. Success criteria: students will be able to explain the need for sampling, list its limitations, and perform a simple margin‑of‑error calculation.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5'): Students answer a short questionnaire on their own experiences with surveys; results displayed on board.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present the reasons for sampling (cost, time, practicality, manageability) using slides.
  3. Concept mapping (8'): In pairs, students create a concept map of population, sample, sampling frame, and types of sampling; share key points.
  4. Interactive activity (12'): Using the printed data set, groups calculate the proportion, margin of error, and confidence interval; teacher circulates to check understanding.
  5. Limitations discussion (10'): Whole‑class brainstorm of sampling errors and biases; teacher adds examples from the source.
  6. Mitigation strategies (8'): Quick “gallery walk” where groups post one strategy on the wall and justify its effectiveness.
  7. Check for understanding (5'): Exit ticket – students write one reason sampling is needed and one limitation with a mitigation idea.
Conclusion:
Recap the key reasons for using samples and the main pitfalls that can compromise reliability. Collect exit tickets and highlight a few strong mitigation ideas as a final reminder. Assign homework: read a short case study on a failed product launch due to poor sampling and prepare a one‑page critique.