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The Statistical Enquiry Cycle
I can understand the stages of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle.
Lesson 2 of 8
New
New
- Year 10
The Statistical Enquiry Cycle
I can understand the stages of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Planning involves defining a question to investigate and what data to collect.
- Collecting involves designing collection methods.
- Processing and presenting involves calculating statistical measures and graphical representations.
- Interpreting involves reaching conclusions and making inferences.
- Communicating and evaluating involves identifying weaknesses and improvements.
Keywords
Statistical Enquiry Cycle - 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.
Common misconception
Pupils may reach false conclusions by not following the Statistical Enquiry Cycle and skipping stages.
Ask pupils to consider trying to draw conclusions from a large data set of raw values, where no processing or representation has taken place, to highlight the need for that stage in particular.
In groups, pupils could plan and design their own investigation, making sure to follow the stages of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select all the measures of spread.
Select all the measures of spread.
frequency
mean
median
mode
Q2.Data has been collected and processed about the number of sweets per packet in 3 different multipacks. The company claims ‘an average of 15 sweets per pack’. Which multipack best supports the claim?
Data has been collected and processed about the number of sweets per packet in 3 different multipacks. The company claims ‘an average of 15 sweets per pack’. Which multipack best supports the claim?
Multipack A
Multipack B
None of the multipacks
All of the multipacks
Q3.Izzy and Jun compare their scores in their last 10 maths tests. The tables show the summary statistics. Select the statements that are correct about the mode of their scores.
Izzy and Jun compare their scores in their last 10 maths tests. The tables show the summary statistics. Select the statements that are correct about the mode of their scores.
Izzy’s variety of scores is lower than Jun’s.
Izzy’s middle score was lower than Jun’s.
Q4.Izzy and Jun compare their scores in their last 10 maths tests. The tables show the summary statistics. Select the statements that are correct about the range of their scores.
Izzy and Jun compare their scores in their last 10 maths tests. The tables show the summary statistics. Select the statements that are correct about the range of their scores.
Izzy’s variety of scores is greater than Jun’s.
Izzy's test results are less consistent than Jun's.
Q5.Jacob went to the gym and surveyed 10 adults in the gym to find out how much exercise they do a week. The mean was 5 hours. Jacob says, "All adults exercise for 5 hours a week." Is he correct?
Jacob went to the gym and surveyed 10 adults in the gym to find out how much exercise they do a week. The mean was 5 hours. Jacob says, "All adults exercise for 5 hours a week." Is he correct?
Yes, the sample is representative of all adults.
Yes, 5 hours is a reasonable average.
No, Jacob needs to survey more people from the gym to be sure.
No, Jacob needs to survey people from the gym on different days to be sure.
Q6.The table of summary statistics shows the number of days of air frost each day in December over the last 10 years. Select the correct statements.
The table of summary statistics shows the number of days of air frost each day in December over the last 10 years. Select the correct statements.
There is less variability in the number of frosty days in Bristol.
York has fewer frosty days than Bristol as the range is lower.
Bristol is likely to be colder in December than York as the range is higher.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the stages of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle in order. Start with the stage that should come first when you first begin a statistical enquiry.
Put the stages of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle in order. Start with the stage that should come first when you first begin a statistical enquiry.
Q2.Sofia is conducting a survey to find out how often people visit the gym. Which stage of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle does this event fit in?
Sofia is conducting a survey to find out how often people visit the gym. Which stage of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle does this event fit in?
Planning
Processing and presenting
Interpreting
Communicating and evaluating
Q3.Match each stage of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle to an event.
Match each stage of the Statistical Enquiry Cycle to an event.
Q4.Which stage is missing from this Statistical Enquiry Cycle?
Which stage is missing from this Statistical Enquiry Cycle?
Q5.Jun wants to know what options the year 9 pupils in his school might choose for GCSE. He plans to ask 'What subject is your favourite?'. What statistics can he find with the data from this question?
Jun wants to know what options the year 9 pupils in his school might choose for GCSE. He plans to ask 'What subject is your favourite?'. What statistics can he find with the data from this question?
Mean
Median
Range
Q6.Laura wants to find out whether pupils who are good at throwing the javelin are also good at shotput. She collects data for 20 pupils on best javelin and shotput throws. What chart should Laura use?
Laura wants to find out whether pupils who are good at throwing the javelin are also good at shotput. She collects data for 20 pupils on best javelin and shotput throws. What chart should Laura use?
Bar chart
Line graph
Pie chart
