The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa

esponses may exist; it is assumed here that it does not. An analysis of cumulative
responses to three questions (see box) indicated that a minimum of 250-300 returns
comprised a suitable sample size.
Age of respondents ranged between 7 to 52 years, the sample also included
responses from three teachers, aged 40, 49 and 52. The modal age for all respondents
was 15; the mean 15.5 years (Figure xx).
• Box 1.1 Sample Size for Student Questionnaires
In order to assess whether I had obtained an adequate sample of students I
selected three questions and graphed the responses to these as percentages
calculated from cumulative 20 block intervals. The three questions related to
the prevalence of hunting, the selection of guided tours as an activity in
protected areas, and the prevalence of walking for leisure. To avoid any
possible systematic bias that may have arisen following any non-random
sequence of school visits, e.g. several primary schools in a row, or a group of
schools from one locality, I first placed all schools in ascending alphabetical
order. The graph below shows that asymptotes were reached for all three
answers once a minimum of around 250 questionnaires had been compiled;
therefore between 250 to 340 questionnaires there was little variation in the
overall responses. From 250 responses onwards, both the percentage of
students that hunt and the percentage that showed a preference for guided
tours in protected areas levelled out at between 50 and 60%, while the
proportion that walk for leisure remained around 40%. I conclude that 360
completed questionnaires constitutes an adequate sample size.
Question 1. How do people spend their leisure time?
The most common principal leisure activities were visiting friends and family ( selected
by 55%) and playing sport (47%); the least common were hunting (20%, but see later),
camping (23%) and watching television (26%). This indicated a preference for socialising,
along with a healthy interest in physical activity. Picnicking and walks to see plants and
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