Univariate Data

Topic/AOS Overview

Investigating and comparing data distributions

This topic includes:

• types of data, including categorical (nominal or ordinal) or numerical (discrete or continuous)

• display and description of categorical data distributions using frequency tables and bar charts; and the mode and its interpretation

• display and description of numerical data distributions in terms of shape, centre and spread using histograms, stem plots (including back-to-back stem plots) and dot plots and choosing between plots

• measures of centre and spread and their use in summarising numerical data distributions, including use of and calculation of the sample summary statistics, median, mean, range, interquartile range (IQR) and standard deviation; and choosing between the measures of centre and spread

• the five-number summary and the boxplot as its graphical representation and display, including the use of the lower fence (Q1 – 1.5 × IQR) and upper fence (Q3 + 1.5 × IQR) to identify possible outliers

• use of back-to-back stem plots or parallel boxplots, as appropriate, to compare the distributions of a single numerical variable across two or more groups in terms of centre (median) and spread (IQR and range), and the interpretation of any differences observed in the context of the data.

Assessment Tasks Overview

Univariate Data SAC

Learning Goals/Success Criteria

Chapter 2 Univariate Data

Other Activities/Excursions