What makes a good question that can be answered by data?

Time: 45 minutes (Add with student project introduction for a full 90 minute class)

Discuss what makes a good Statistical question. It’s inquiry-based measurable. Good Statistical questions can be answered by data and have variability in the data (United, n.d). You are looking at developing questions that could be examined and allow you to provide evidence to support the question. One should be able to research, observe, make measurements, and work with materials. These questions are generally how, and what type questions.

Example: Students complain about cafeteria food all the time. Why do students not like the cafeteria? Is this a good statistical question? (no, it is not measurable by data) . However, does the number of students purchasing food vary based on menu choices? It is measurable and data we can gather.

In groups, have students look at some questions on cards and have them decide if they are measurable or not. Let them look at some of the data sites in Resources and develop some questions they might want to answer as groups or pairs. Discuss them as a whole group.

Slides available

Exit ticket: Write three measurable questions that might interest you. (Padlet in slides)

Reference:

Sharkawy, A. (2010). A QUEST TO IMPROVE. Science and Children, 48(4), 32-35. Retrieved from https://wilkes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/quest-improve/docview/821295656/se-2?accountid=62703

United States Census Bureau. (n.d.) What is a statistical question? [pdf]. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/sis/activities/math/mm-10_teacher.pdf