The Statistical Enquiry Cycle is a cycle used to carry out a statistical investigation. There are five stages. This is an ongoing process as evaluation may lead to new/refined questioning.

Data collection

Maths

Checking understanding of statistical problems

The Statistical Enquiry Cycle

Types of data

Sampling methods

Sampling limitations

Biased questioning

Problem solving with sampling

In this unit, pupils are given the opportunity to assess how valid a sample may be and what the averages might tell us. In the future unit, pupils extend their knowledge of averages to stem and leaf diagrams as well as comparing two data sets.

In the prior unit, pupils considered the mean, median and mode and evaluated their usefulness in a variety of contexts. In this unit, pupils are given the opportunity to consider where the data came from and how it was collected and can therefore start to evaluate how good a representation the sample is of the whole population.

In this unit pupils will learn how to sample, and explore accuracy and limitations with various sampling strategies and data collection techniques.

Sampling

There are {{}} stages are there in the Statistical Enquiry Cycle.

Sofia is a conducting a survey about food. One of her questions is "Healthy people eat a lot of vegetables. Do you like to eat vegetables?" What is wrong with Sofia's question?

Jun carries out a survey to find out how much exercise people do. How could Jun's question be improved?

There is no option for someone who doesn't eat fruit.

There is no option for someone who eats more than 5 pieces of fruit a day.

Aisha wants to find out how much fruit people eat. What is wrong with Aisha's question?

The Oak Headteacher wants to find out how much homework the teachers set. The Headteacher designs this question. What is wrong with their question?

under 10; 10 - 18; 19 - 30;  30 - 50; 50 - 70; 70+

under 10; 11 - 18; 19 - 30;  31 - 50; 51 - 70; 71+

under 10; 10 - 18; 19 - 30;  31 - 50; 51 - 70; 71+

under 10; 11 - 18; 19 - 30;  30 - 50; 50 - 70; 70+

under 10; 10 - 18; 19 - 30;  31 - 50; 51 - 70; 70+

Izzy designs a questionnaire to find out how much TV people watch. Her first question is 'What is your age?' Select the most suitable response boxes.

Bias can be present in any sample collected from a {{}} and may affect the results of a statistical investigation. 

Yes, the chance of 2 sixes in a row is very low

No, Izzy needs to roll the dice two more times to be sure.

No, Izzy needs to roll the dice many more times.

Izzy rolls a dice twice and it lands on a 6 each time. Izzy concludes the dice is biased. Is Izzy correct?

Which stage is missing from this Statistical Enquiry Cycle?

Andeep should ask more pupils from year 10.

Andeep should ask some pupils from each year group.

Andeep has a biased sample as his friends may like the same computer games.

Andeep wants to find out what computer game is most popular among year 10 pupils at his school. He asks 6 of his friends what their favourite game is. Which of these comments are correct?

Sofia is draws a pie chart to show how often people visit the gym. Which stage of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle does this event fit in?

Deciding to research different revision methods

Surveying pupils to find out how they revise

Looking at results and deciding what they show

Concluding which revision method is most used

Match each stage of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle to an event.

Starter Quiz

Bias can be present in any sample collected from a and may affect the results of a statistical investigation.