Recognize a statistical question as one that anticipates variability in the data related to the question and accounts for it in the answers. For example, “How old am I?” is not a statistical question, but “How old are the students in my school?” is a statistical question because one anticipates variability in students’ ages.
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Statistical Question Worksheet
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Review vocabulary with student: variable, statistic, survey, data, categorical data, numerical data -
Review with the student the difference between a statistical question and one that does not rely on the collection data to answer. Start off with easy questions; Non-Statistical: What is your favorite pizza?; Statistical: What type of pizza is the favorite among your classmates?
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Using the above two questions investigate with the student how they are different (one is a single answer, the other requires the collection of data to answer).
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Brainstorm with the student two more examples of each type of question.
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If the student is successful in understanding the difference between the two types of questions then he/she should, using media of their choice, write one of each type of question.
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Provided the student is successful, have the student complete the Statistical Question Worksheet.
By Susan LoFranco
Attached File(s)
https://www.perkins.org/sites/elearning.perkinsdev1.org/files/statistical%20question%20worksheet.doc
