We analyse data to try and discover patterns in order to allow us to set up systems to make things run efficiently or smoothly. We can tell a surprising number of things by using data to set up a mathematical model and then by tweaking it so that we improve it, iron out any difficulties and check it to see that it follows what we know.
Be careful not to assume that having the data is the only way we can find knowledge though. There are, in fact, many different ways of finding the truth. Examining evidence in books and documents, asking people, relying on our own experience as well as carrying out surveys or measuring things are valid ways of finding the truth. The secret is to select the best way for type of knowledge that we wish to learn.
Bear this in mind whenever you are looking at statistics. As, according to Mark Twain, Disraeli said, "There are three types of lies: lies; damned lies and statistics." So be careful. Don't find evidence to fit your argument. Be careful how you collect your evidence. Be careful that you analyse it with the correct tools.
Answers to the sheets on data analysis. Covers working out an estimate of the mean, drawing a frequency polygon, calculating the arithmetic mean, mode and median of a data set, drawing box plots to compare data.
Answers to the sheets on data analysis. Covers working out an estimate of the mean, drawing a frequency polygon, calculating the arithmetic mean, mode and median of a data set, drawing box plots to compare data.
Question set A on data analysis. Covers working out an estimate of the mean, drawing a frequency polygon, calculating the arithmetic mean, mode and median of a data set, drawing box plots to compare data.
Question set B on data analysis. Covers working out an estimate of the mean, drawing a frequency polygon, calculating the arithmetic mean, mode and median of a data set, drawing box plots to compare data.
Question set A on data analysis. Covers working out an estimate of the mean, drawing a frequency polygon, calculating the arithmetic mean, mode and median of a data set, drawing box plots to compare data.
Question set D on data analysis. Covers working out an estimate of the mean, drawing a frequency polygon, calculating the arithmetic mean, mode and median of a data set, drawing box plots to compare data.
Spreadsheet looking at bar charts and frequency diagrams. Remember to use the tabs at the bottom of the workbook to move to the next activity.
Video on retrieving information from a chart.
Video on retrieving information from a table.
KS2 type exercise on comparing information from a Carroll diagram and a Venn diagram and putting the information into a table.
Spreadsheet on working out standard deviation, mode, mean, median, range, inter-quartile range.
Look at modal class, median, estimated mean and frequency polygon plus some extra revision questions.
Look at modal class, median, estimated mean and frequency polygon, box plots plus some analysis questions.
Look at modal class, median, estimated mean and frequency polygon, box plots plus some analysis questions.
Use this information to determine whether or not Bradford has been affected by global warming.
Use this sheet to select the random years for you to do your analysis of whether or not global warming has occurred in Bradford.