Use of data
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Key facts
Use of data
An anomaly (outlier / extreme value) is a data point that is significantly different from the rest of the data and does not fit the general trend.
Use of data
A bar chart shows the size of a series of data categories; the category with the tallest bar has the highest value (e.g. the greatest fitness score).
Use of data
Heart-rate range is calculated as maximum heart rate minus resting heart rate (e.g. 200 − 60 = 140 bpm).
Use of data
On a line graph, a steep upward gradient shows a value rising rapidly (e.g. heart rate rising quickly as exercise intensity increases); a downward gradient shows it falling.
Use of data
The mean of a data set is calculated by adding up all the values and dividing by the number of values (total ÷ count).
Use of data
Percentage improvement is calculated as (change in value ÷ original value) × 100; e.g. a 1-mile time improving from 10 to 8 minutes is a 2 ÷ 10 × 100 = 20% improvement.
Use of data
Comparing pre- and post-training test scores (e.g. VO₂ max) lets a coach judge whether fitness has improved; a higher post-training score shows improvement, justifying an increase in training load.
Use of data
Quantitative data is a measurement recorded as a number (e.g. time in seconds, distance in metres, heart rate in bpm); its advantage is that statistics can be produced, but it does not explain why a result occurred.
Use of data
Quantitative data deals with numbers and is collected by questionnaires and surveys; qualitative data deals with descriptions and is collected by interviews and observations.
Use of data
The range of a data set is the highest value minus the lowest value, and it measures the spread of the data.
Practice questions with answers
A taste of the 14 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
What does quantitative data deal with?
- •Descriptions
- •Feelings
- ✓Numbers
- •Pictures
Which method collects qualitative data?
- •Heart rate readings
- ✓Interviews
- •Stopwatch timings
- •Timed fitness tests
How is the mean of a data set calculated?
- •highest minus lowest value
- •middle value when ordered
- •most frequently occurring value
- ✓total divided by count
How is the range of a data set calculated?
- ✓highest minus lowest value
- •middle value when ordered
- •sum of all values
- •total divided by count
On a heart rate graph, what does a steep upward gradient indicate?
- •Exercise intensity has stayed constant throughout
- •Heart rate is falling towards resting levels
- ✓Heart rate is rising rapidly with exercise intensity
- •The athlete has reached their maximum heart rate
A bar chart compares aerobic fitness scores. Which student has the greatest fitness?
- •The student who completed the fitness test fastest
- •The student whose bar is closest to the class average
- ✓The student with the highest bar on the chart
- •The student with the lowest bar, showing the most room to improve
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