Year 8 Statistics In-Depth Summary (8Ss.01 - 8Ss.
05)
8Ss.01 Data Collection and Sampling
Types of Data:
- Categorical: Descriptive, grouped into categories. (e.g., Favourite sport)
- Discrete: Whole numbers; counted, not measured. (e.g., Number of pets)
- Continuous: Any value within a range; measured. (e.g., Height in cm)
Choosing Data to Collect:
- Relevance: Does it answer the question?
- Practicality: Is it easy to collect?
- Accuracy: Will the method be reliable?
Sampling Methods:
- Random Sampling: Pure chance (e.g., drawing names from a hat).
- Stratified Sampling: Divide population into groups (strata), sample proportionally.
- Systematic Sampling: Every nth member from a list (after random start).
Worked Example:
You want to know students' favourite social media app.
- Random Sampling: Randomly pick 50 students across the school.
- Stratified Sampling: Sample proportionally based on year groups.
- Systematic Sampling: Choose every 10th name on the school roll.
8Ss.02 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sampling Methods
Random Sampling: Unbiased, simple; might miss small groups.
Stratified Sampling: Very representative; harder to organise.
Systematic Sampling: Quick and easy; risk of pattern in list.
Tip:
Always check if your method could introduce bias.
Worked Example:
Choosing every 5th customer at a shop might miss customers if the flow is not steady.
8Ss.03 Representing Data
- Venn Diagrams: Show shared and separate categories.
- Carroll Diagrams: Sort data into 2 attributes (yes/no).
- Tally Charts/Frequency Tables: Quick way to record data.
- Two-way Tables: Display relationships between two variables.
- Dual and Compound Bar Charts: Compare two datasets.
- Pie Charts: Show parts of a whole; each sector angle = (Category frequency / Total frequency) x
360°
- Frequency Diagrams (Histograms): Grouped continuous data.
- Line Graphs/Time Series Graphs: Track changes over time.
- Scatter Graphs: Show correlations (positive, negative, none).
- Stem-and-Leaf Diagrams: Organize and retain original values.
- Infographics: Creative visuals to simplify complex data.
Worked Example (Pie Chart):
Survey of 30 students: 15 football, 10 basketball, 5 tennis.
- Football: (15/30) x 360° = 180°
- Basketball: (10/30) x 360° = 120°
- Tennis: (5/30) x 360° = 60°
8Ss.04 Comparing Two Distributions
- Mode: Most common value.
- Median: Middle value (when ordered).
- Mean: Sum of all values / Number of values.
- Range: Highest - Lowest value.
Worked Example:
Heights: 150, 155, 160, 165, 170
- Mode: No mode
- Median: 160
- Mean: (150+155+160+165+170)/5 = 160
- Range: 170-150 = 20
Tip:
Always order numbers before finding the median.
If even number of values, average the two middle numbers.
8Ss.05 Interpreting Data, Identifying Trends, Making Predictions
Identifying Trends:
- Positive correlation: As one increases, so does the other.
- Negative correlation: As one increases, the other decreases.
Sources of Variation:
- Sampling variation
- Measurement errors
- External factors
Checking Predictions:
- Is the prediction reasonable based on trend?
- Watch for outliers affecting accuracy.
Worked Example (Scatter Graph):
Plot revision hours vs exam score: More hours -> higher scores (positive correlation).
End of Notes
