The statistical enquiry cycle
What's covered
Key facts
Stages of the statistical enquiry cycle
Students must show the importance of clear and concise communication of findings and an awareness of the target audience.
Stages of the statistical enquiry cycle
Evaluation and review means identifying weaknesses in approach or representation, suggesting improvements, and refining the process to clarify the initial hypothesis further.
Stages of the statistical enquiry cycle
The AQA specification lists five stages of the statistical enquiry cycle: initial planning, data collection, data processing and presentation, interpretation of results, and evaluation and review.
Stages of the statistical enquiry cycle
Results must be interpreted in the context of the problem: analysing diagrams and measures, reaching conclusions that relate to the hypothesis, making inferences or predictions and discussing reliability.
Stages of the statistical enquiry cycle
Edexcel states that statistical conclusions are developed through an iterative process of testing and refinement, which is why the enquiry is drawn as a cycle.
Stages of the statistical enquiry cycle
Initial planning includes defining a question or hypothesis, deciding what data to collect and how to collect and record it, and developing a strategy for processing and representing the data, giving reasons.
Stages of the statistical enquiry cycle
Processing and presentation covers organising data, generating diagrams and visualisations, and generating statistical measures, including understanding how technology can automate processing.
Practice questions with answers
A taste of the 8 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
In which stage of the statistical enquiry cycle do you decide which data to collect, giving reasons?
- •Data collection
- •Evaluation and review
- ✓Initial planning
- •Interpretation of results
Which stage of the statistical enquiry cycle involves identifying weaknesses and suggesting improvements?
- •Data processing
- ✓Evaluation and review
- •Initial planning
- •Interpretation of results
When interpreting results, what must a conclusion relate back to?
- •The method of data collection
- ✓The original hypothesis or question
- •The size of the largest value
- •The type of diagram drawn
Evaluating an enquiry can lead you to refine the hypothesis and repeat the cycle.
Answer: True
Calculating the mean and drawing diagrams belong to the interpretation stage of the enquiry cycle.
Answer: False
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